MUSIC ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 234, 1 July 1939, Page 15

MUSIC ABROAD

Wellington Singer’s Impressions

MISS ANDRE BEVIN Impressions vf music abroad were given by Miss Andre Bevln, the Wellington singer, who only a few months ago gave recitals in London and Paris, and who lias now returned home. Miss Bevln studied French music in Paris under M. Lu Pierre, who taught such distinguished singers as Dame Melba and Mary Garden. M. La Pierre’s studio takes the form of a small stage complete with orchestral well, in order to give the pupil, while undergoing instruction, a stage sense. He argues that operatic music is essentially for and of the theatre. Miss Bevin testifies to the value of tire idea. Miss Bevin also took lessons from the distinguished recitalistj M. Yves Tinayre, a charming light baritone. One of his hobbles is research into the anciept music of all nations, and, in that pursuit, he has amassed an interesting library. It was through his good graces that Miss Bovin was able to give a recital in Paris. Miss Bevin spoke of the musical life In London, the never ending procession of wonderful artists from the four corners of the earth. Galli-Curci, she said, was received very coldly by some of the leading critics when she last appeared, though at the time she was the outstanding coloratura soprano. Strange as it seemed, London, while it Welcomed Paul Robeson, the negro baritone, did not take .kindly to Lawrence Tibbett. “When you have heard all the other conductors,” said Miss Bevin, “you have still to hear the mightiest in Toscanini. He is not an ordinary man. I am sure of that. He is planes ahead of most of us. Every player in the orchestra realizes it. You feel lifted out of yourself, enthralled, when Toscanini conducts. His tragedy is that while all the world worships at his feet, he is at odfls with his own country. He is an anti-Fascist, and will not tolerate the changed order. For that reason - he was insulted grossly when he appeared at Genoa a few years ago and he decided never to return while the present regime lasted. For the same reason he declined an invitation to conduct the Wagnerian festival at Bayreuth or to go back to Salzburg. He now has a marvellous orchestra in New York, and all America is thrilled with him.”'