Tremendous Reception to Richard Crooks Fifteen Encores Demanded by Extraordinary Enthusiasm of Australian Audience

Radio Record, Volume XI, Issue 1, 10 July 1936, Page 23

Tremendous Reception to Richard Crooks Fifteen Encores Demanded by Extraordinary Enthusiasm of Australian Audience

. RRlcz4RD CROOKS went right imto the Sydney headlines after his first recital, indeed, after the first few minutes of his first recital. He is engaged in a tour of the larger Australian cities and will come over to New Zealand to give ws "good but popular’ music. His ‘first performance in the Dominion will be at Auckland.on September 15. QYDNBY town rolled up in force to the Town Hall on Saturday, June 20, to hear America’s great tenor, They had heard such a lot of his reputation

overseas, and through his recordings he has been brought to the notice of the world in general and is perhaps the most elosely followed tenor uext to Tauber. But to see him in the flesh was the greatest of drawing cards and hig first number was barely finished when Sydney music lovers knew that before them was-a. truly great artist. His personality was free and genial, just the attributes to appeal to the temperaments of his audience, He responded generously with encores and at the end.of the recital fifteen extra numbers were not sufficient to quell the ardent enthusiasm of Syd-

ney. Hcw many more encores would have been called-for it is not possible to guess; but the singer wisely cut short a very much ‘lengthened:programme by singing the National Anthem. Thai Was not the end,however, for hundreds waited on the steps of the Town Hall to clap him and fete him as he walked down to his car-a remarkable demonstration of appreciation.. Ever since his opening -concert he hag drawn Sydney. away from its winter firesides to fill the large Town Hall, and: his triumph is only just beginning. © The first group on the programme (Continued on next page.)

(Continued from previous page.) would have been sufficient to confound any self-appointed critic, for he was able to make a complete change in style to fit the character of each presentation. The Bach "If Thou Be Near" had a supple simplicity which exactly fitted the composer’s devotional spirit, There was austerity with warmth. . Then followed a Haydn "Serenade," lively in feeling yet restrained to an exquisite delicacy. Beethoven’s "I Love Thee" proved a masterpiece. There was demonstrated here in marked degree that clarity of enunciation which marks the work of the world’s finest singers. Even words sung in threadlike pianissimo must have been perfectlv understandable in the most distant parts of the great hall. In Stradella’s "Per Pieta’" Richard Crooks showed the volume and power of his voice without the semblance of effort. High or low register were within his power to do as he chose with them. Always with complete control and something in reserve, From the purely musical point of view the highlight of.the evening was a group of Strauss songs. It was noticed here that the audience was moved

deeply by his interpretation, which goes to’ prove that the best music sung in masterly fashion always goes home.: These four lieder were: "Zueignung," "Heimliche Aufforderung," "Die Nacht," and "Morgen." The depth of feeling, the sure and searching thrust into the heart of .the ecomposer’s thought, the poise und dignity and the dramatic colour made the Strauss group as memorable a piece of artistry as Sydney has heard, Mr. Orooks then embarked on lighter numbers, including "Then You’l) Remember Me" (from ‘The Bohemian Girl’), Det Riego’s "The Green Hills of Ireland," La Forge’s "Retreat," Moya’s "Song of Songs," and the popularlyknown "Tell Me To-night." Thig last ’ presentation was too much for :the feelings of the delighted audience, who gave the singer a truly Australian reception. The directors for the Australian tour. J, and N. Tait, were obliged to extend the Sydney season for another three nights, for Australia will not be satisfied until they have heard Richard . Orooks again and again,