SINGER MAKES MARK

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 12

SINGER MAKES MARK

A‘ prediction made in 1966 that he would “make his mark” in the role of Hagen lin Richard Wagner’s opera, “Twilight of the Gods,” iwithin 10 years, was correct Ito within a week for the New I Zealand-born singer, Noel i Mangin. Mr Mangin, for 10 years a member of the Hamburg State Opera, sang Hagen in the production by the English National Opera Company at the Coliseum in London on January 17 — and he received praiseworthy reviews for his performance. In 1966 Weiland Wagner told Mr Mangin at Beyreuth ” ‘ h“ fulfilled his early

promise, he would be suffl-1, , mature and talented; to make his mark in the, demanding role of Hagen | jwithin 10 years. | “The 10 years was up on; (January 17 to within a week, (and I believe I played the I role as well as I am able. The reviews were good and we received a standing ovation from the audience of I 2700 people,” he said in London, reports the London correspondent of “The Press.” Mr Mangin, who will continue in the role until the i Wagner season finishes in I May, has been asked by thej E.M.I. recording company to (record Hagen next season. I | He will make his fourth' (return visit later this year I Ito New Zealand since his i departure in 1960. Describing Hagen as the; “hardest role I have done so I far,” the New Zealand bassl said it required a “certain maturity of art” to play. I The “Guardian” critic said I Mr Mangin was “a fiercely! evil Hagen”; the “Daily Express” said he gave “verbal 1 as well as physical weight to the sinister role”; the “Finan-1 ; cial Times,” describing him as ■a British singer with Con- I .tinental experience, said he I was “an effective study”; (while “The Times” critic said lhe was “masterly.”