Home & People Donald Mclntyre, singer supreme

Press, 28 December 1977, Page 10

Home & People Donald Mclntyre, singer supreme

London New Zealand bass-bari-tone, Donald Mclntyre, sits atop his profession as the only person physically capable of singing the most difficult roles in Wagnerian opera. His most recent perform* ance as Telramund in Wagner’s “Lohengrin” at Covent Garden has been applauded by the critics, who praise his acting nearly as much as his singing. Wolfgang Wagner, the grandson of the composer, who casts the parts for Germany’s famous Bayreuth Festival has said: “There is

simply no-one better to play the part of Wotan (Ruler of the Gods) in the “Ring” cycle than Mclntyre. Next summer’s festival, the 101st, will be the eighth time the New Zealander has taken the role, which until he first played it in 1970 had been the exclusive domain of American and German singers. But his success has neither tarnished Mclntyre’s straightforward approach nor modified his New Zealand accent. An imposing figure, who chose between singing and playing rugby, Mclntyre strides out of the stage door at Covent Garden with the same self-assured air that he takes to the stage. At 43, sporting a thick crop of steely hair and a neatly-trimmed beard that seems specially designed for Wagnerian parts, Mclntyre shakes hands with a forceful thrust of his giant paw. Then he suggests that his little bright yellow car would be a good place for an interview — he has to squeeze time between rehearsals at Covent Garden and a session in West London.

Mclntyre has sung most of the big roles for his voice. Each year he sings in many of the major European opera houses, at Covent Garden, at the Bayreuth Fes- • tival, and he tries to fit in a ; visit to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. “I do increase my repertoire every year but for me the most important part of my work is communicating with audiences. I want them to respond. When we changed the “Ring” cycle at Bayreuth people were at first so upset they threw tomatoes at us. “That strong response is more valuable and exciting than mute acceptance. The theatre — which in the broad sense includes opera

— exists to provoke discussion. Wagner was dealing with political themes. If everyone says, Yes beautiful, we love it’ I think, as an artist I have failed.” Although Mclntyre says he is "as lazy as anyone,” he works two hours a day learning new roles. “I can learn the notes in a few months but it is the acting I’m really interested in," he says. “When I’m not rehearsing I do the things I want to — but they are invariably related to my work. For example if I decide to study a language it will be important for some role. I play tennis because I like it, but I need it to keep fit. “I sometimes even jog to keep in shape — I don’t really enjoy that though. But I have to stay very physically fit. Right now I’m the only person who could play Telramund in ‘Lohengrin?” Mclntyre won the 0.8. E. in the 1977 New Year Honours. He has reached the pinnacle of his career and will be able to go on singing at his peak for several years. He exudes the confidence of a

successful man and he says he is a happy man who enjoys life. “When I’m not singing I don’t think about it. I never — or rarely — go to see other Opera performances. I am concerned that I might produce second-hand art by subconsciously doing something as I have seen

it rather than performing instinctively.’ “I consider it my job to gather inspiration from outside the theatre. I don’t want to give people a stereotyped performance that they can easily recognise as caricature.” Mclntyre says his New Zealand background has helped his attitude. “In

New Zealand you get a broader range of experience and involvement and that’s important for an opera singer. You need to be an actor, a singer, a linguist and able to effectively combine all three.” But he is not likely to be in New Zealand for a concert tour in the near

future. He is in demand in Europe and the United States and Southern Hemisphere tours are expensive. “If someone offered a tour I certainly wouldn’t say no.” Married with three daughters, Mclntyre lives in Kent and spends a Germany.

NZPA Staff Correspondent