Broadcast Translations Of Famous Arias

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 4, 4 August 1933, Page 14

Broadcast Translations Of Famous Arias

To the Editor. Sir,-Many people learned in the first instance to appreciate classical music through the medium of the gramophone, but in the case of operatic numbers 109 per cent. enjoyment is prevented because

of the language difficulty. This could be overcome in a large degree if translations were made available of some of the famous arias, such as "Largo al Factotum," the catalogue song from ‘Don Giovanni," and the from "I Pagliacci." I am sure few could resist the appeal of such numbérgs when given a little annotation and a fairly literal translation. I haye mentioned baritone excerpts only,

but the same plan could be adopted to cover the most familiar of the excerpts from grand opera. If several of these were included in the weekly programme of one oy all of the YA stations, and . the excerpts put on the air, then a really educative scheme would be accomplished in a year and some real service conferred on lovers of classical music.-I am, atn

G. L.

THORBY

Maheno, North Otago.