MUSIC ABROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 223, 20 September 1929, Page 8

MUSIC ABROAD.

NEW ZEALANDERS' REPORT. VISIT TO DOLORES. HOLIDAY IX NEW ZEALAND NEXT YEAR. "Ono of the great pleasures of our trip was meeting Madame Dolores in Paris" said Mr. and Mrs. Percy Jackson, who returned to New Zealand to-day by the Port Melbourne, after an extended tour of England and the Continent of Europe where they kept touch with the latest developments in the musical world. The New Zealanders said that Dolores stiil had a wonderful personality and great charm of manner. Tliey learned that the noted singer still took the keenest interest in New Zealand and New Zealanders, with treasured memories of many friends far away. "And," confided Dolores, "I intend soon to pay another visit to lovely little New Zealand."

'•'lt is all nonsense to say that music is going down. London has never known a higher standard than during the past season," was the opinion of Mr. Jackson. Australians were meeting with much success in London. Dolores had shown a keen interest in the progress of youn* singers from this side of the world, and told Mr. Jackson she expected to arrive in New Zealand some time next Year on a holiday tour. She was remarkably well, and appeared as young as ever. Her assistance to young singers' was occupying her much in her leisure time in Paris, where she was otherwise in retirement. Mdlle. Vaudoir, her lifelong friend, was still her daily companion at the Hotel de I'Arcade and in the country. A performance of Puccini's Chinese opera, "Turandot," in the Milan Opera House, was one of the notable musical events attended by Mr. and Mrs. Jackson during their travels. The opera, which had recently been taken to New- York was produced under the famous conductor Campanelli. Among other pleasant memories Mr. Jackson mentioned the playing of the orchestra conducted by Sir Dan Godfrey at Bournemouth, and the singing of the chorus in the Temple Church, where a "find" was the boy soprano who succeeded Master Lough. Belgium appeared to be fast recovering from the effects of the war, Mr. Jackson said; the men and women were working hard. English scenery and the rural landscapes, particularly the cherry orchards of Kent, had given, him the impression that England was a beautiful park. His travels were' chiefly in the west and southern counties, and he recallc-d the progress made on Liverpool's new cathedral, which had the largest organ in the world.

Upon his return to-day Mr. Jackson, who is a retired bank manager, formerly of Ashburton, said lie intended settling in Auckland,