Joyce Blackham Accepts Role For European Tour

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29912, 28 August 1962, Page 2

Joyce Blackham Accepts Role For European Tour

LONDON. Miss Joyce Blackham, the English mezzo-soprano who captivated New Zealand audiences as Carmen earlier this year, has accepted the role of Flora in an toternationail production of the opera "La Tnaviata.” “If your singing is half as good as your looks, then you’re the girl I want.” said the producer, Mr Franco Zeffirelli. The role will give Miss Blackham the chance to work, to use her own expression, on a level that she had not previously dreamed of. Miss Blackham’s acceptance means that she will sing to theatregoers in virtually all the great European capitals. “This is a wonderful chance for me,” she said “The soprano is from La Scaila, Milan, the baritone is from Franice, the tenor has yet to be decided, and the British. contingent is little me. “The Culture looks wonderful, and all my recent exciting opportunities seem

somehow to have begun with my visit to New Zealand. All the luck has been good since I set out for that breathtaikiingly beautiful country. “The performances? Financially, artist icaMy and personally they were a tremendous success, and from

Keep This Date Thursday, August 30.— Ladies. Fendallton Plunket Cake Stall, Industries Fair. Aprons, toys, home-made jams. Situated between No. 1 and No. 2 Court.

those wonderful evenings my career seems to have opened out,” she said. Miss Blackfham, who will be singing “Carmen” at Sadler’s Wells during the forthcoming season, hopes one day to revisit New Zealand where she made so many friends.