Finalists in song quest

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33052, 20 October 1972, Page 14

Finalists in song quest

The final trial for the Mobil Song Quest was reached last evening in a concert in the Town Hall. Some eight singers and four entertainment groups were finalists and, as so often happens on occasions such as this, there rises the conjecture: who listened to all those who did not make the grade? Trials have been held for weeks past, and there must have been many of them. It must be understood by those listening to aspirants in the Town Hall that judging is done on what the sound is on the radio, not on the effect in the hall. The effect can be very different. The judge, Professor J. A. Ritchie, listened at the 3YA Studio and not in the Town Hall. Therefore what we heard in the Hall was probably quite different in detail from what he heard. All the singers came from Auckland although all were not born there. The Mobil Song Quest has become an important event in the lives of those aspiring to a concert career, as the professional advance of previous winners has clearly shown. Therefore, congratulations and best wishes for their future can confidently be given to those who have earned their place as finalists in the competition. The first contestant was Janice Lunt, an operatic soprano, who began with “One Fine Day” from Madame Butterfly. Her singing it in English, and not particularly clearly at that,

posed problems in phrasing. Her voice has attractive timbre and plenty of power, and she has it all under admirable control. It must be understood that these comments refer to the effect the singer created in the Town Hall and have no relationship to what was heard by the experienced and learned judge per medium of the radio. Her singing of "Turn Ye to Me” was stylish and atmospheric. Mr Paul Person, an operatic baritone singing “Trees” and “Money Oh” chose not to extend the display of his powers. The second item gave added opportunity, such as it was and for what it was worth, to impress. His voice had attractive and quite powerful timbre and had steady production and is even throughout its range. Heather Marsh, a soprano of pleasing quality, was occasionally light for the acoustic needs of the Town Hall, but could have sounded very well on the radio. Her singing of "Musetta’s Song” had more atmosphere than Gershwin’s “Summertime” which seemed to lack some feeling. Anthony Benfell, tenor, sang Lehar’s “O Maiden My Maiden” and Quilter’s “Go Lovely Rose.” He impressed deeply in the hall by the quality of his voice, warm, vibrant, and expressively controlled. The clarity of his words was also impressive. Sonny Morete, soprano, sang with commendable steadiness and good quality.

Vietnam relief The New Zealand Red Cross Society has given $5OOO towards the emergency relief programme being undertaken on behalf of nearly 850,000 new refugees displaced from their homes by recent fighting in the four regions of Vietnam, according to the secretary-manager of the North Canterbury centre (Mr R. J. Lipscombe),

Further acquaintance with the hall would suggest that pianissimo singing there needs a little more initial power. Her interpretations had an appealing sincerity. “A May Morning” needed more thrust in the auditorium.

Patricia Anne Shaw, soprano, showed interesting quality when she projected her voice to the natural level of resonance of the hall. Her Mozart aria “Grant O Love” was stylishly sung and she had firm command in the lighter “Waltz of My Heart.” Her work commanded attention.

Christopher Doig made a welcome return to Christchurch. His voice has matured pleasingly since we last heard him here. He sang “Open Thy Blue Eyes” by Massenet and “Di Provenza” by Verdi. He did not always convey the necessary warmth of feeling. Pamela Renouf, soprano, sang “Seligheit” by Schubert and “Dear Friends, Farewell” by Donizetti. Her voice had warmth and vitality, and good carrying quality. Hers is a voice that will command attention and she has sensitive feeling for a phrase. A body of strings from the Civic Orchestra, led by Louis Yffer, with a sensitive pianist, played the accompaniments far more than adequately and contributed greatly, under the direction of Mr Vanco Cavdarski, to the enjoyment of the evening. In the vocal groups section of the programme the Markham Singers produced lovely tone and blend. They sang with admirable rhythm and clarity. The “Leavenicus” Group performed with good cohesion and the “Wave” group had effective accompaniment from percussion, piano, and guitar. The Majorettes sang the folk song “Scarborough Fair” and “Gospel Train” with splendid blend, cohesion, and tonal quality.