Noted Soprano to Broadcast two Public Concerts through 3YA

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 17, 6 November 1931, Page 3

Noted Soprano to Broadcast two Public Concerts through 3YA

. Te public concerts which are to be given in Christchurch next week by the coloratura soprano, Margherita Zelanda, will be broadcast by 3YA. Margherita. Zelanda is well known tc _ radio listeners. During the Auckland Radic Exhibition she was specially engaged by the \ Broadcasting Company to perform at the concerts and,.on this her introducticta to Auckland music-lovers and 1YA’s radio audience, she achieved a notable triumph. Then followed her engagement to sing at all the YA stations, and Zelanda proved herself to be no less an artist before the microphone than she is on the concert platform or in grand opera. A finished product of the best. singing masters in Milan and Palermo, and acclaimed by the Press as one of the finest coloratura sopranos of the day, Zelanda is a most versatile artist. A few weeks ago, when passing through Christchurch, she attended a community singing gathering, and was accorded a popular reception when she mounted the stage to contribute to the programme. Though a prima nna, Margherita Zelanda’s repertoire runs well beyond the confines of opera. Her appeal is to everyone who enjoys singing. Elsewhere in this issue appear the programmes which are to be presented. The numbers to be sung are of wide diversity, ranging from popular ballads to classical operatic solos. Space prevents a detailed reference to these programmes which, after all, speak for themselves. Each evening, the 3YA Studio Octet, conducted by Harold Beck, will | be associated with Margherita Zelanda, providing accompaniments and presenting a pro\gramme of popular music. On Thursday evening, Marjorie Alexander, the brilliant young Christchurch musician, who will shortly leave for London to take up a scholarship

awarded by the Royal Academy of Music, wil! be heard in pianoforte solos. As can be judged from the following newspaper comments, musical critics think very highly of the vocal talent of Margherita Zelanda. "New Zealand Herald": The possessor of a charming dulcet voice, beautifully trained and controlled, and an engaging stage presenice. Margherita Zelanda (who made such an impression at the recent Radio Exhibition) with her first concert gained all the elements of a popular success. With such gossamer melodies as "The Tell-Tale Stars" and "Oh, Bother, Sang the Thrush," to win their hearts, the audience could have stayed all night to listen. The operatic section was not without its features and the exquisite coloratura rendering of the famous opera, "Lakme," met an enthusiastic reception. There Zelanda reached dramatic power and thrilled her audience by a succession of vocal embellishments of the purest quality. Her second piece de resistance was the aria "Charmant Oiseau," from David's "Perle de Boesil,"’ with the voice gracefully

answering and imitating the bird-like trills of the flute. Grace and artistry could not have been more delightfully blended. Zelanda was wonderfully at ease in all operatic arias which liberally sprinkled the programme; strong individuality was felt in the ballads, serenades and fragmentary songs of modern origin that called for light and airy treatment. Auckland "Star": Zelanda presented a fine and varied selection of songs to an enthusiastic audience. Her singing was delightful, her numbers giving opportunity to display the great flexibility of her voice, and they were tastefully rendered. Dunedin "Star": Zelanda is a_ silverthroated soprano and an artist. She is highly, cultivated, with a, voice which measures the highest notes and the sweetness of the flute; and she shows a sense of deep appreciation of her songs. Zelanda is a singer; no better word could be chosen to describe her ability. "Otago Daily Times": Much has been written about Zelanda’s high qualifications as a vocalist, and the estimate of her standing in the musical world has certainly not been over~ rated. All she gave from the stage was highly commendable. A noticeable feature about her singing is that she never strains after effect, and at no time does she exhibit the least distress or fatigue, which is saying a good deal. when the formidable task she has set herself is taken into consideration. Possessed of a clear soprano voice of good quality and exceptional range, and: with a keen and accurate perception as to how to treat themes of a totally different class, added to which there was no lack of evidence of good training, Zelanda was in a position to interpret all her numbers in a manner that could not fail to satisfy the most exact’ critic. "PEAHE Dominion": Zelanda has a real coloratura soprano voice of wide range and singular purity. There is a delightful simplicity about her singing, and she is as much at home in florid work as in the more serious numbers. The enthusiasm of the audience increased as the concert proceeded, and Zelanda received a tremendous ovation at the finale, The "Evening Post": Zelanda made a most favourable impression on all who heard her. She was recalled again and again, and was vocally quite at her ease in everything she sang, ‘notwithstanding the great diversity in character of the numbers of her choice for her concert.