ON MARIPOSA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 87, 12 April 1940, Page 9

ON MARIPOSA.

FIVE CELEBRITIES.

INTEREST IN DOMINION.

CONCERT DURING VOYAGE.

Five intornationally-known artists arrived at Auckland in the Mariposa to-day, three of whom have been engaged by the Government to participate in the Centennial musical festivals to commence next month.

Most distinguished of the group is the famous, violinist.. Yehudi ilenuhin, who was accompanied by his wife, an Australian, their six-month-old daughter, Zaniira, Ali&s Yaltah Menuhin and Mr. Menuhin's accompanist, Hendrik Endt. Mr. Menuhin is travelling to Australia, where he intends to spend a prolonged holiday.

The party to tour the Dominion comprise Mr. Heddle Nash, the lending British lyric tenor, who is accompanied by Mrs. Nash, Miss IsobeJ Baillie, the noted English oratorio eopraiio, and Miss <iladye liipley, a young contralto who has eung many leading roles. All are paying their first visit to the Dominion and stated this morning that (hey were looking forward to meeting New Zcalanders. Together with Mr. Oscar Xat/.ke and Mr. Raymond Beatty, who have, already arrived, they will take the leading parts in the o|>era '•Faust. - '

Mr. Nash Raid that on the declaration of war the programmes of all musical •societies in. England were immediately cancelled. It .vae only recently that concerts had l>een resumed, but there had becJi no regular performance of the opera. The black-out was still enforced with rigid strietr.sss, and this was changing the habits of the people. Few risked the. dangers of the streets to attend such cntertainmente. However, it wae remarkable how the people had accustomed themselves to the changed conditions.

With Miss Baillie and Miss Riple.y. Mr. Nash has been appearing since the outbreak of war in concerts arranged for troops in various parts of England.

Celebrity Concert. Passengero enjoyed a unique experience last evening when a celebrity concert was arranged by Mr. Nash in Aid of seamen's charities. During , the voyage, Archbishop Wand, Metropolitan of Queensland, who was a passenger, requested the artiste to appear during the Sunday service and they agreed, but owing to the fact that Sunday wae deleted when the ship passed the international date, line, this was found to l>e impossible.

Mr. Xash then arranged the concert which took place last evening, and which the ship"s officers and passengers stated »'M a delightful experience. The orchestra was under the baton of Charles liosso, and all accompaniments were- played by Hendrilc Kndt. The artists were introduced by Archbishop Wand, and comprised Heddlc Naeh. leobel Baillie, Yehudi Menuhin and Gladye Ripley. Miss Baillie and Mr. Nash sang the duct from "Lα Boheme."

Another paesenger in the Mariposa is Lord Lurgan, who is on his way to Australia to carry out a concert tour. He has recently carried out engagements in Canada and the United States. Lord Lurgan ie the fourth baron, succeeding to the title, in 1937.