BRANSCOMBE'S WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17629, 5 December 1922, Page 9

BRANSCOMBE'S WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS.

Musical entortainment in New Zealand oweß much to the initiative and enterprise of Mr Edward Branscombe, who, some sixteen yeara ago, comnenced his long series of visiting companies with the famous Westminster Glee Singers, a remarkable combination of men ancli boys, whose specialty was unaccompanied part-singing. This undertaking was followed by the now celebrated trio of Russian musicians, Loo. Jan, and. Mischel Cherniavsky, so well remembered for their masterly performances on the violin, piano, and 'ce.lo. Yet another attraction of major importance .was that of Sousas Band, loir lowed, at a. short interval by "The Scarlet Troubadours," in which the elements of fine music, refined comedy, elegant costumes, and seme high-class varieties were all happily blended. The names of Maud Fane, rord Waltham, Alfred Cunningham, and Edgar Warwick will long be esteemed in connexion with "The Troubadours" as those of four exceptionally brilliant ajrtists, who successfully inaugurated a novel and delightful form of* entertainment. Later still came "The Dandies," many companies of whom continually visited the Dominion, and which served to bring into prominence Buch sterling performers as Claude Dampier andi his versatile wife, Irene Vere, Boland Henry, an accomplished English comedian, Linda Bradford, the brilliant contralto, and many others. News now comes to hand of another company which Mr Branscombe has organised in London, viz., the Westminster Glee Singers, who will arrive in New Zealand at the commencement of the year, and wncse concerts, as before, will be mairny devoted to the performance of Old English part music. Sit of London's best solo boys havo been engaged for the tour, together with live English adult singers selected from various cathedral choirs and other famous organisations where the 'difficult art of unaccompanied part-singing finds its best exemplification.