MADAME LIPKOVSKA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17936, 3 December 1923, Page 2

MADAME LIPKOVSKA.

A FAMOUS SOPRANO. V

When the representative of "The Press" called to see Madame Lipkovska he found an accomplished cosmopolitan lady, whose love of music and her art were rivalled only by her love for her country. For despite the fact that many outside Russia have a strongly imbued idea that Russia is, and always has been, one of the most uncomfortable plates in the world, the country makes a strong appeal to both Madame and -her accompanist, Mon. Sverjensky; in fact, it is to them, home ancl all that word signifies. Questioned as to the possible restitution of Russia in its artistic sense, Madame Lipkovska was most optimistic. There are very many Russian artistes appearing in other parts of the world, but Madame considers that when the country has settled down, the homing instinct will prove too strong, and they will all return to Russia. Madame Lipkovska is herself somewhat of a revolutionary in regard to the concert platform, for she is a firm believer of giving her audience entertainment for their eyes as well as for their ears. In her own words, "One must have atmosphere." Right throughout she dresses for her songs, no matter what the period, and it is doubtful if such consummate artistry has been seen before in the Dominion. Her ambitions soar loftily, for her songs are cf highly diversified character and varying nationality, yet she does not waver, and no effort is spared to present her songs in the most attractive manner possible. Madame likened her ideas to the more prosaic matter, that of eating. She compared two restaurants, one of the crude and cheaper kind, the other where food was presented and served to please. She applies this latter to her own art, and while not detracting from her singing, her costuming has aroused the most extravagant praise in the other countries which she has visited. Madame pointed out that suitable costume helped enormously to make her audiences understand the temperament of her songs, especially Russian songs, for the rest of the world was really (very ignorant of Russia. But Madame does not confine herself to Russian songs, but sings and Speaks in eix languages, and always at least one-third of her programme is composed of English songs. "I was bora on the edge of the Black Sea," she said .to the pressman. "I was singing in opera at the age of 13, and I have sung ever since in roles like Violetta in 'Traviata,' 'Lakme,' •Ophelia,' 'Manon,' 'Juliette,' 'Gilda,' and the 'Snow Maiden,' a part which I originally created in Russia and a name by which I am . still known there." .

Her career has been swift and brilliant. In one • night she became a prima donna, straight from het- studies at the Imperial Conservatoire in Petrograd. She has seen many triampiis at Covent Garden in London, where she appeared for three seasons in succession, the Grand Opera House in Paris, the Metropolitan in New York, tho Imperial Theatre in Petrograd, and the opera houses of Home, Boston, and Chicago. Hitherto New Zealand has known her only through her records for the gramoplione, and of these only a limited number have made their way out.

Madame Lipkovska was in Russia at the outbreak'*.of war, and spent a number of terrible and—for her—wasted years in the southern part of that great country. She was not able to leave until 1919 when she Went again to America, where she appeared witir the Chicago Opera Company. Early in 1922 she commenced.a tour of the' Far East and sang in operas in Harbin, which. possessed a large population of Russian intellectuals escaped from urider the Soviet rule. Her recent tour in Australia was a gfreat success, and one felt that while in the presence of Lipkovska, it was an at-j mosphere of supreme artistry.