AMERICA'S CHOICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1941, Page 3

AMERICA'S CHOICE.

COMIC OPERA MUSIC.

PREFERENCE FOR "PIRATES."

Diamonds sparkle in company with a. large sapphire in a venerable wedding ring which i« worn by Miss Evelyn Gardiner, the leading contralto of the J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company, and ite history goes back 275 years. In private life Miss Gardiner, who is now in Auckland, is the wife of Lieu-tenant-Colonel Richard York, D.5.0., to : whom she was married a year ago, and the ring was originally worn by her husband's grandmother, who was Lady Mary Lascelles. Miss Gardiner said to-day that the Gilbert and Sullivan operas were just as popular in the United States as they were in British countries, and she has pleasant memories of good receptions from American audiences.. Jlifs Gardiner said that there was a decided American preference for "Pirates of Penzance," and it was a remarkable fact that that well known comic opera was produced there before it was known in Britain. Miss Gardiner added that in spite of other attractions, good music and good acting made a very strong appeal to cultured American people, and they were highly appreciative of high-class entertainment. She was in England when the war broke out, and the company she was with was disbanded. Among other players in the company is MUs Viola Wilson, the principal soprano, who comes from Paisley, Scotland. In addition to being a singer she trained as a concert pianist. She has snng at Covent Garden, and left there two years ago to play Gilbert and Sullivan. Deserted Commerce. "I deserted a commercial career to become a singer," said Gregory Stroud, the leading baritone. When not singing Mr. Stroud's hobby is the breeding of bulls and prize cattle on his farm in Sussex. Kichard Watson, who plays the part of the Grand Inquisitor in* "The Gondoliers," is an Adelaide nan who found schooldays so pleasant that he became a schoolmaster, only to find that be had a voice that won him three scholarships at the Royal College, London. He -went to England in 1926 and found himself in Covent Garden, -where lie remained until 1932, when he was engaged for the Savoy Opera. After his last trip to England Mr. Watson went back to Covent Garden until war was declared. He was rejected when he offered his services to the army and then joined the A.R.P. in London, got a St. John Ambulance certificate, and put in some months driving and stretcher-bearing. Member of a well-known Australian family, Miss Sara Gregory was born in Adelaide and went to England to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. John Fullard, tenor, wae brought u» on church music, oratorios and grand opera. One of bis memories is that be from * "thecal choir in a Welsh city for singing tenor instead of soprano. "I just couldnt help it" lie said to-day.