Distinguished Contralto From South Africa

Radio Record, Volume IX, Issue 15, 18 October 1935, Page 19

Distinguished Contralto From South Africa

Dorothy Clarke’s N.Z. Tour Has. Begun

OR the last four months Miss Dorothy Clarke, a fine dramatic contralto from South Africa, extremely . well-known in London, has been a featured personality in the. Australian Broadcasting Commission’s programmes. She has been > frequently heard over the B.B.C., has sung as soloist with the Bach Choir in Lon ‘on, the’ Royal Choral Society in the same centre, the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union and other | prominent musical organisations in the British Isles. : Now : Miss’ Clarke is touring .the Domin-’

ion under engagement to the New Zealand Broadcasting Board. At the outset of her. career, she won a schol-_ arship which en-_ abled her to go to London for four years and study at the Royal College of Music under. Maestro Alberto Visetti. She made a great impression at the College with her singing, and -was awarded the Council Exhibition by an ove r whe Iming majority of the judges.

Miss Clarke uses her full and sympathetic contralto voice with the judgment of a cultured artist. She is a contralto of the best school. Her singing is rich in expression and she has, the gift of introducing emotion into her songs without appear‘ing too’ dramatic. Although she sings with the contro] and restraint that -give the impression of great reserve force, her voice has a vibrant warm tone and appeal. This artist has assembled during ‘her career-’a fine repertoire in‘cluding Elgar's "The Dream of se serTry

uerontius, ine Apostles," Bach’s ‘‘St. Matthew Passion," "St. John Passion, "Mass in B Minor," Beet--hoven’s ‘ ‘Ninth Symphony, "Mass in D," siah,"" Verdi's "Requiem,’" Mendelssohn’s "‘Elijah," Bizet’s "Carmen," Saint Saens’ "Samson and _ Delilah," Verdi’s "Aida" and ColeridgeTaylor's "Meg Blane," lieder and art songs and the songs of old italian mas"téts. A(¢