MADAME ZELANDA TO TOUR

Radio Record, 10 June 1938, Page 18

MADAME ZELANDA TO TOUR

Goloratura Soprano Born In New Zealand-Visit Of American Accordeon Expert-Dunedin Co ommunity Sit tgs. — Cricket Test Reminder-News From The Commercials

trained in Australia and Italy, Madame Margherita Zelanda has been engaged by the NBS for a six weeks’ tour of the national stations, beginning from 2YA on August 9. During the season: she will sing songs ranging in scale from ballad ‘to operatic. ‘ Carefully trained from childhood, Madanje Zelanda first studied‘at St. Philomena’s College Convent of . Mercy, Dunedin. She later attended the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music and from Sydney journeyed to Italy. -‘OLORATURA .. soprano, born in New Zealand and FOR two years her vocal progress _ was guided by the famous Professor Benedetto Morasca, of Palermo Conservatorium in Sicily, where she graduated as a. Prima Donna.- Later she went to Milan and became a pupil of the late Maestro Manlio Bavagnoli, who, it will be remembered, visited Australia some years ago for the Imperial grand opera season, and has brought before. the operatic public of Italy a number of famous prima donnas. : Besides gaining honours in her prima -donna course, Zelanda.was acclaimed by professors of music throughout Italy to be the possessor of the finest English voice that had ever visited that country. Sweet, clear, and strong, with brilliant technique, her singing should give pleasure to all New Zealand music-lovers, for’it is said that coloratura voices of the quality of © Zelanda’s only happen once in a veneration. RECOGNISED as one of the greatest piano-accordeonists, Arnie Hartmen, recently under engagement to Frank Neil, of vaude- | ville fame, will give a series of broadcasts from the YA stations hefore going on to America. His. amazing technique and complete command of this difficult instrument leave his hearers spellbound. Mr. Hartmen will be heard simultaneously from 2YA and 2YD on june 8, 9, and 11, and from 1YA om June 13. . |

UNEDIN’S community sing season has been ushered in with a swing and for the next few months 4YA listeners will hear "Alfie," "Demmy," and "Himmy" lead the audience through old and new favourites in the Strand Theatre, The radio performs.a great service for the Sing Committee, and for those deserving persons to whom

contributions are passed on. Southern listeners are at present wondering whether that friendly rivalry that existed last season between Christchurch and Dunedin will be revived. If the Cathedral City does come to light. #YA listeners are assured of apt retorts from Dunedin each Friday midday. JREATURE of -2YA’S evening programme on June 16 will be the studio appearance of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Male. Voice Choir. The choir came into existence in 1933, and made its initial appearance at the "Digger" concert given on Armistice night in the same year. The success attained on that occasion ‘ted to its permanent establishment, and in 1935 Mr. Frank Oakes accepted the position as conductor to the choir, Mr. Oakes has had extensive musical experience during his lifetime, and the high standard achieved by the organisation is largely due to hijs painstaking. efforts. E,OVERS of grand opera are to hear a complete presentation of Guiseppe Verdi's "Il Trovatore" from 2YA at 845 p.m. on Sunday, June 12:

EyAtexp. ‘by ‘film reviewers as one of the most delightful pictures’ of all time, ‘Snow ‘Whité and the ‘Seven Dwarfs," contains much in-the, way of novel music. On June 10, at:8.31, two recordings. of these interesting. songs will be heard from 2YA: the first, "Some Day the Prince Will Comé,’" is featured ‘by the Seven Dwarfs. Both recordings are. complete: with ‘dialogue and sound effects, _ Tésts Reminder Curower « enthusiasts-and wha isn’t enthusiastic. about the Tests. between England and Australia‘+-w Hi: be well catered for by the ‘NBS -on' ‘the occasion of the first’ Test match, between. the ‘Mother Country and. the Commonw ealth, played .. ‘ Trent Bridge. Stations 1Y4A, and 4¥A will be on the air with a rebroadcast of the actual play ffom 10 to ‘11 p.m,

on-June.10, and: from 9.80 to 11 p.m. on June 11; 18 and. 14. Each day from Tl p.m. until 5 aim:, the’ Dominion station, 2YA, ‘will continue the relay. Speaking from Daventry, and rebroadeast by all stations, W. A. Oldfield, celebrated ° AuvStralian wicket-keeper, will be heard in an eye-witness account of: the match at 9.35 a.m. on June 11; at 9.10 a.m. on June 12; 9.5 a.m, on June 14, and at the same time on June 15. 2YA alone will present this feature. For the benefit of those who cannot attend to radio matters at these times, recorded versions of his descriptions will be broadeast from.all-stations at 6.45 p.m. on June 11;.1.45 p.m. on June" 12, and 6.45 p.m. on ‘June 14 and 15. Chesterton Play FOR those niany listeners who like .a good radio play there will be Something out of the progranune box at. 3YA on June 16, when an adaptation ‘of G. K. Chésterton’s "The Honour -of Israel Gow" -will be presented by the Avon Players. It is some time since a Chestertonian effort was:heard from National stations. Buddha NEW "Monday feature for 2ZB ‘is "Buddha Looks Down;" for which the speaker is the pleasant-voiced ‘Mrs. ‘D. Wheeler, well-known to listeners. to 2ZB’s "Charm School of the Air." Spotlight On U.S.A. HE-NBS proposes. to: do the. U.S.A. pretty thoroughly in the near future. Well-known Canterbury College’ graduaté, Miss Hltine’ Tosswill, who has recently returned from America, is to speak at 8YA on June 13 ou her impressions of America. Professor B.-G. Alexander, who is coming to New Zealand with the team of negro debaters from lLeMoyne University late this month, ‘will give-a talk, "Let's Visit :America," from. all-the main stations. * . Finally, Mr. J. H. Kemnitz, now of Masterton, who visited U.S.A. 4s a member of a New Zealand debating team, is shortly to give two talks from 2YA, one in his: general impressions of the States and: the other on ‘American Univetsity Life. The last--"mentioned talk is expected. to deal’ cogently with the "Co-Ed" angle ot university studies. Off’ To London ELI-KNOWN for his Friday night readings from 1¥YA, Mr. D’Arcy Cresswell has given bis. last talk from 1XA, and is leaving New Zealand for

‘EBagland on July 2,'with-it is reported -a manuscript or two in his bag. He leaves from Wellington, and the NBS hopes to put him on the air from 2YA before he. sails. Future readings ‘will ‘pe arranged at‘1YA from time to time

ee in the hour on Friday night. On Friday, June 17, Mr. A. J. Sinclair, Te Awamutu, who is well-known for his talks on Scottish subjects, is going to tell the old Border ballad tale of "Muckle-mouthed Meg," an ancestor of Sir Walter Scott, and a lady so ugly that she had-.to he married to a Scottish prisoner, who was given the choice of marriage to Meg or execution. The Big Top TATION 1ZB has: just added an"other enjoyable. feature to the — children’s session.. Ii is.entitled "The Romance of the Sawdust Ring," and deals with circus life. It is arranged by Frank Broad, "the veteran ~ of variety,’ who talks to the children. in the guise of -the famous French clown, * "Groc." , . Aviation , L1osen. McGOVERNRE, 3ZB’s aviation expert, has concluded his ‘flying talks concerned with Irak, and. will shortly. begin a. new. series.. His , graphic style bas brought him many admirers, both among professional ‘flying ranks and layman ‘listeners. Victoriana, No. THE fourth series of Victoriana is now being recorded. in the NBS studios. It deals largely with the

preparations | in London for, the. 1851 exhibition, showing the intense opposition that the Prince Consort kad to face before he got his wish to hold the exhibition in lLondon’s Hyde -Park. Some said that it, would bring ruin to the West End to have all these"vulgar people" in Hyde Park. Others said such a’ ‘display would bring down the wrath of ‘the: Almighty .on London, f --

The Crystal Palace, the home of the exhibition, was later moved to Sydenham, where it waslast year destroyed by fire. In this Victoriana series the departure of Otago and Canterbury pioneers for New Zealand is covered, betweeh 1840-1850. Meanwhile YVictoriana No. 3, heard some time ago ai 2YA, is now going the rounds of the main National stations and will be heard from iYA on June 13. Radio Resource JRESOURCEFULNESS and teamwork were well shown at 3ZB last week. Following on the morning of the fire, Mr. Don Penton, engineer, saw nothing of his home for three days, and the other members of the engineering staff were equally husy in maintaining schedules, On the ptogramme side the whole of the library has been renewed, thig extensive work being completed the week-end after the fire, All Night ALL-NIGHT broadcasts are likely to be given occasionally from 1ZB, according to information received from the station. The first, intended mainly for dxrer’s, was transmitted last Friday night. These programmes will possibly be monthly features. Maori Singer TENE PAORA (Lou Paul), iZB Maori singer and entertainer, will be heard over 2Z5 for the week ending Saturday, June 11, at 8.30 p.m. daily. with the exception of Friday. June 10, when his time will be 8 p.m Too Many Calls WHITH the announcement made by Rod Talbot during a recent Diggers’ session from {ZB many heartily agree. He said so many calls were re ceived to go over during these Sunday evening sessions, that the margin left for entertainment was very small. And

s0, he said, it was felt, in the interests of "Diggers." and iisteners, too, that there should be fever calls and more entertainment. Accordingly, he asked that, in future, only calls to be broadcast to very sick ‘Diggers’ should be sent to the station. Highlight Time [JNDER a new arrangement, 1Z2B broadeasts highlights and _ programme publicity in a three-minute session at 5.55 each evening. The

OO I LO I ON AL, LO OT ON LO I LO LO, LO le, Children’s Magazine is advanced to 4.55 so that the highlighting plan will not curtail it. The idea is to centralise all information abou; the programmes to this time, and make it a regular information burean, 2ZB "Follies" SITATION LZR. "Brighter Winrer Sundays" programme for Sunday next will introduce the 2ZB Follies, at approximately &380 p.m. The session will be led by two well-known vandeViliians ef a decade or so ago-Messrs. Fred Keeley, formerly of the Fuller rvudeville cireuit, and Alee, Regan, late of the Clem Dawe Company. Before Midnight Worn the prime object of building up the hour hetween 11 p.m. and midnight, 1ZB started last week a new session-real dance floop show with guest artists, such as Diek Powell. Eleanor Powell and Bing Crosby, Each night, the 60-minute dance show is arranged, and already listeners, partienlarly those who haye parties on and want to dance, are congratulating the Station, Feature Ends OT favourte for nearly a year the feature, "Crashed In The Jungle," finishes iis run at 1ZB next Saturday night Few features have caused as much public interest. Chang Lee, Peter Webb, and his young brother were known and disenssed in manvr a

tramcar and train. The same group of players has broadcast other series from the NCBS stations. The programme to follow it is "Carli Minor." This will be broadeast at 7.15 each Saturday evening. Composer RECALL those lilting musical comedies, "The Geisha," "San Toy," "A Gaiety Girl," ‘King of Cadonia’’? Even their titles carry a swing, bnt how little ig known of their composer. Sidney Jones. Even various "Who’s Who" pass him hy with the brief mention that he was born at Leeds, where, at an early age, he was well-known as a conductor. before coming into prominence as composer of the song, "Tinger Longer, Loo. Mr. C. R. Allen will elaborate on the career of this world-wide entertainer from 4YA at 8.45 next Wednesdny night. 3YA Talks PRALK from 8YA at 9.5 p.m., will be given by Charles. Thomas, who, on June 16, will speak on the somewhat eryptic subject, ‘""VYrying to Save the People." Mr. P. H. Jones will give another of his weather series the following evening. . Fruitful (COMMERCIAL isroadeasting Service’s "eat more fruit" campaign is now well-established, ahd already has given fine assistance to the fruitsrowing industry. Ir has been featured extensively on ail four ZB stations. Good evidence of its success came with over 20,800 request, for an apple recipe book containing a selection of the best recipes submitted in response to a Dominion-wide competition over the Commercial] Broadcasting Service, and published by the Internal Marketing Division, For New Plymouth REPORTS to 1ZB from New Plymouth indicate that the station 1s received perfectly down there at all times. Scores have written to compliment the station on tncreased coverage, and they say they can tune in at any time and be sure of good reception. 1ZB has commenced tro weekly sessions for the Taranaki province with special reference to New Plymouth itself. The first was broadcast on Tuesday. They are half-hour sessions-Tues-days at 2 pm. and Thursdays at 3.45 pum. For The Sick WVELLINGTON Hospital patients have cause to be grateful to 2ZB's Hospital Sessionist (Robbie) who not long ago was mainly responsible for the organisation of a Sunday concert that equipped the wart Hospital with radio His most recent effort was on Sunday last. when the proceeds from the crowded St. James Theatre went fo provide winter comforts for the Otaki Health Camp, Teaming (00D Work is heing done by Michnel Forlong and Ptnl Shone under 2ZB’s new scheme of teaming annonneers in regniar sessions partienlarly in

the 10 p.m. to midnight period. Innovations introduced include rhumba, swing and old-time vaudeville sessions, und another real old-time dance programme ig being arranged similar to that produced on Easter Saturday. Michael, responsible for the Wanganui hour, is also Speed Man in 2ZB’s children’s hour. He is now working on a stage presentation cf{ J. B. Priestley’s "Dangerous Corner." Hockey E\NGLISH. women’s hockey team will be given a radio welcome by 2Z3 on arrival at Wellington on the morning of Monday, June 18, and arrangements are in hand for a fairly extensive coverage of the team’s activities y QETLUSIBAGUEEAENSIIE000001 UEQLEPLSUGETECLERRREIATEELEED

whilst in Wellington, and also of the provincial fixture, Wellington v. England on July 9. Queries So many and yaried have been questions showered on 2ZB’s children’s hour Question Man that he now has a session all to himself on Saturdays, at 6 p.m. Old Folks "QONGS and Melodies for the Old Folks" is the name of 2ZB's newest Sunday session. Competently Ylandled by Jay MeNamara, it has brought pleasure and ehjoyment to a radio group, hitherto somewhat neglected in the way of special radio treatment, Sidelights GQTATION 8ZB was not sttck for a sidelight on Christchurch the other day when an enterprising memher of the. staff conceived the idea that the head of each department should tell listeners something about the way the disastrous fire affected him and his work. The public learned, too, a good deal about the operations at the transmitting station at New Brighton. There were hundreds of callers, and the only way the staff was able to keep inquiring children out of the way was to tell them that the big mast might take it

into its head to drop to earth. WNormality is rapidly being reached in the temporary town studio, even if a kitchen table is being used for the announcer’s desk. "Impressions" NEW 4ZB session that is liked is Alec McDowell’s afternoon presentation, "Impressions." To the many listeners to whom poetry means more than mere rhyming, the session comes as a2 welcome interlude. Alec devotes care and thought to the selection of verse for his session, but perhaps the secret of its success lies in the choice of the associate records. In this Mr. McDowell’s long apprenticeship to music stands kim in good stead.

NBS Play MAx AFFORD'S radio play "Sacrifice at Dawn," will shortly be produced from the NCBS by Mr. Geoff. Lloyd, of the staff of 2ZB, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Lloyd, wellknown to followers of the dramg in Wellington. Mr, Leon Gotz and Miss Leslie Hall of the staff of 2ZB are in the cast. Amateurs KqNei TAHIWI, whose 2ZB’s weeke ~ ly Hawera Hour has added greatly to his mana in the butter province, is now responsible for that station’s bright 30-minute amateur trials at 9 p.m. on Saturday. About 200 entries have

been received, and recently, 50 juveniles in two lots were "gonged" on and off in the approved fashion. Tast week an American visitor was sufficiently interested to send Kingi a congratulatory letter which concluded with the words " . The two winning efforts, in fact, the generally, were well up to the standards of Major Bowes Hour,

now, as you know, one of the most popular hours on the Amerienn National network." "They're Ort" SUDDENLY the clang of a fumiliar bell rings out. a staccato voice crics "They're off," the thud of galloping horses is heard. and 4ZB racing enthusiasts sit up in their chairs to hear the latest race results broadcast in the new way from Dunedin's feature station. This effective method of letting listeners know the winning steeds is done by means of a special record casily distinguished at a glance by the control operator, because of the conucal cutting of a saucy-looking "Galloping Gert" which some enterprising soul has pasted on to the cover. Pitcairn [NUABITANTS of Piteairn Isinnd now have a radio set, First result was a request for 2ZB for a special programme, 2ZB will oblige. Disney HAILED by film reviewers as one of the most delightful pietures of all time, "Snow White and the Seven

Dwarfs" contains much in the way of novel music. On June 10, at 8.31, two recordings of these interesting songs will be heard from 2Y¥A. The first, "Some Day the Prince Will Come," is sung by Snow White, and the second, "Dwarfs’ Yodel Song," is featured by the Seven Dwarfs. Both recordings are complete with dialogue and effects,

His Theme Song "A UNT DAISY" hag lost the distinction of being the only radio announcer in the Dominion with a theme song based on a famous if mythical namesake, Jay MeNamara’s Marton hour, in which he often introduces a musical "snapshot" of his own, is now ijnutroduced with the lively tune, "Me name is McNamara and I’m the leader of the band." Incidentally, "MeNainara’s Band" was the song of the British Rughy team that toured New: "Aevland in 1930, Dunedin’s Play [DUNEDIN Operatic Society has} aiways led New Zealand in the matter of large amateur productions. It led the way in presenting for the first time on the amateur stage in the Dominion, "The Maid of :the Mountains," "Sally," "The Girl in the Taxi," and other musical comedies; and now, for Winter Show Week, it-is.to present Rudolf Friml’s "Vagabond King." The east will be under the. guidance o2f Producer Stan Lawson, the musical side under Mr. James Clark, and the executive under Mr. John Shannon. Several voices well known to 4YA listcners, will be found in the cast:Katherine, Miss Rita Stone; Francois: Villon, Mr James Macfarlane: Huguette, Miss Freda Hlmes; Margot, Mr. John Hamer; Lady Mary, Miss Ti Northey; King Louis XJ, Mr, Richard

White; ‘Tristan, Mr. Sid Lock; Guy Tabre, Mr. Stan Lawson; Oliver, Mr, R. P. Murphy; Rene, Mr. John Gordon, Noel, Mr R. A. Wilson; Casin, Mr, Mark Gaston; Thibaut, Mr ff. W. Griffiths; Captain of Scotch Archers, Mr. Donald Munro. The staging of "Vagabond King" will be controlled hy Ir. Angus Gorrie as stage manager. New Customers WELLINGTON ’S 2ZB has recently gained upward of 20,000 listeners as a result of freak reception, so technicians say, in Tasiania, over a 60 atles’ radius between Huonville and Southport C.R’s Australian agent finds that 27R comes in so strongly in this region as to block out almost completely the smaller-powered local stations, ath the result that 2ZB is better known in that area than Sydney stafions. "Found’-At 3ZB POTTERING nbout 38Z2B offices re cently, the ‘Reeord’s" reporter picked up a mirror to see if his howler

was on straight. This is what he noticed, written in pencil on the back of the looking-glass, ‘3ZC,.3ZM, 3ZB, where next?" It’s not hard to tell to whom that little piece of feminine equipment ‘belongs. She’s: doing so well, however, that the last two words are superfinons. . All Wave THIS time of the year is considered the best for shortwave radio reception. Particularly the Berlin station, Daventry, Australian. and North American stations can be bicked up with remarkable ease and clarity, and other lesser-known stations, such as in Cuba and Manila, can be heard. Good reception ts possible almost at any time of the day or night, but as winter proceeds evening reception will be affected. On the other hand, long-wave reception will improve later in the near. Cameramania VY ELI-KNOWN Christehureh = mu giecan Harold Beck some time ago conductor of the 8YA Orchestra, and now with the ABC in Sydney, bas conceived q passion for photography. .The "Record’s" Christchurch reporter heard last week that the ‘cellist is hardly ever seen without his camera. slunz from his shoulder, and, in his leisure moments, flitting about in a search of the unusual and the pi¢turesque. He struck q lueky patch when on. the scene of a big fite, for a daily newspapei honght bis picture of the doings. wo Radio Boys "INU Radio Boys of H.M.S. Achilles" is the name of an instrumental group of eight artists belonging to the crew of the cruiser at present in Auckland, The artists have an engagement to broadcast from 1YA on Saturday, June 11, during the concert programme, The band fs in fine form. Hockey GPTATION 8YA caters for hockey enthusiasts when the English women's team and the Indian team play Test matehes in Christehurch.