BEST TENOR SINCE CARUSO?

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17812, 11 July 1923, Page 11

BEST TENOR SINCE CARUSO?

Charles Hackett, an American tenor (fro?»J, JJJjj the Metropolitan, Opera House, New won a regular triumph' at the end of il£*&V at Covert Garden, liondon, Where he?'SVUg 2 - the part of Roctolf m "La BolAsne." fl-i&j Ho &ang in Italian to the JSnglith of other members of the cast) and H 780; thljK somewhat handicapped, especially in tl» •I*/, ->' semble of the. second act, but in the and third acts his voice showed to thereat possible advantage ana roused the nuditaCA t to such enthusiasm ttiat they burst into* ' applause in the midd»e of: the celling frowned upon by the more patrons of the British National -Opera' Com? puny, but .entirely compatible .With orthodox traditions of Italian 4 opera. The t I ftonly question (remarks the "Daily Esprem") is whether Mr Hsclrett is or la not the}' jj*''" best tenor that has .been heard at Covetlt,- -i 1 Garden since ' Caruso. .Hie Italian diction ■> '{ f . •is marvellous—far bettor than ithat.of Taosfc'Vi 1 Italian singqrs-'-and hie mezzo-wee flinging ' is, perbape, even better than tho splendid *' effects that be obtains with hie top notee."> It waa delightful to hear once - a^ins- 1 volvoty quality of a perfect voice, perfectly *■:' - t produced, and perfectly trained. • " »•"