Difficulties in Way of Translating Arias

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 8, 1 September 1933, Page 16

Difficulties in Way of Translating Arias

To the Editor. ; Sir,-In the "Radio Record" of August 4 is a letter from L. Thorby, asking if translations of famous arias could be made available for the air, However much one would like to see translations made, there are difficulties in the way of making the arias effective. The writer has been playing operatic music for 26 years, and considers that a synopsis of the aria to give its "spirit" would be better (han a literal translation. Taste for classical music has to be acquired; that is the writer’s opinion after long years of playing, but once the mental atmosphere is gained, one would not cleave it for the ordinary music, "It is a difficult matter to educate the layman up to the realm of cldssical music. Still G. L. Thorby has my good wishes.-I am,

etc.,

A. E.

ELLISTON

Reefton.