POPULAR FIGURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 9

POPULAR FIGURE.

RICHARD CROOKS. LIKES N.Z. AUDIENCES. Commanding of presence, affable of manner and easy to approach, Richard Crooks, the world-famous tenor, was one of the most popular of the passengers on the MaripOßa this morning. He was accompanied by his wife, snuill son and Mr. Frederick Nhsuiwecker, bis accompanist.

In between speaking to the halfdozen people who always seemed to be wanting to greet him or to stiy goodbye to him, Mr. Crooks managed to find time to say that be was most glad to be back in Xew Zealand. He had always found Xew Zealand audiences most sympathetic, and also appreciative. "From what one can gather of Xew Zealand audiences, they have as much understanding of music—of singing, anyway—as a-nv people in the Old World."

Though singing Iβ his life, he is enthusiastic about outdoor activities, and particularly of shooting and fishing. Over the mantelpiece in his camp at New Brunswick, he said he had the head of a fine deer shot in New Zealand. ■Hβ did not shoot it himeelL but it was sent to him from this country !>y a friend.

Mr. Shauwecker said that Mr. Crooks was fondest of the classics, though he liked ballads as well. Mr. Crooks, he said, watched all new compositions. He wae interested in ultra-modern music, though he did not think it would last.

"He is easy to accompany," Mr. Shauwecker said. "All great artists are. It is only those who are pushing through who are sometimes difficult."

When Mr. Crooks leaves Xew Zealand, he will go on to Australia, and after that in turn to South Africa, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. He left New York in January, and expects to be back in February.