NOTABLE SINGER

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 59, 3 December 1941, Page 5

NOTABLE SINGER

Mr. Harold Williams In Wellington FOURTEEN “MESSIAHS” IN A MONTH The distinguished baritone singer, Harold Williams, who probably represents the highest grade in his class in the British Empire and who is ill W elhngton at the present time, would not probably have been a professional singer at all were it not for the last great war. He served with the A.I.F. from IJlti, until his discharge in 1919. During that tune he had,sung only as an amateur ami with thekboys with whom he was serving. Being encouraged and having nothing else to do when discharged in London lie took lessons in .singing from Charles Phillips, who placed his voice and trained him in a repertoire of ballads and arias. After 14 months Mr. Phillips said lie could teach him no more, the rest he must gain by experience. And what an experience his has been "It is nothing for me to have to .sing 12 or 14 ‘Messiahs’ in a month in England,” said Mr. Williams, when interviewed yesterday (he will sing the work with the Royal Wellington Choral Union on Saturday). ‘‘lt i« nothing but travel from place to place according to the schedule. There are so ninny societies in the Old Country, and most of them like to do the ‘Messiah’ about Christmas time. “I was the baritone when Sir Thomas Beecham conducted his first ’Messiah' at the Queen’s Hall, London,” continued Mr. Wililanis. “My word, he did chop it about. He altered most of the tempos, apparently with the idea of speeding up everything, but later on he came back to normal readings of the score. He also finished on the ’Hallelujah’ chorus, and cut out the wonderful ’Amen’ chorus altogether. This, many thought, was unpardonable. I consider the ’Amen’ chorus one of the grandest numbers in the ’Messiah.’ To hear one of the good Yorkshire choirs sing it is a thrill. From the standpoint of musicianship there is nothing better in the ’Messiah’ than the ’Amen.’ which is, alter all the logical end to this inspired work. Milestones In Career. Mr. Williams gave his first recital in London at the "Wigmore Hall at the end of 1919, and from'then on found Ins services in demand. One of the milestones in his career was his entrance into the realm of grand opera when the British National Opera Company began its seasons of grand opera in English at lbs Majesty’s, London, in 1924, a venture that lasted, with provincial tours,_ till 1928. It gave him the opportunity of exercising his histrionic talent in such operas as “Tannhauser,” “Tristan ami Isolde, “Parsifal,” and the better known operas of Verdi and Puccini. Among the roles he played with this organization were lago in Verdi's "Oteilo,” Tonio m ”1 I’agliacci,” and (he toreador in “Carmen.” On the whole, Mr. "Williams said he thought he preferred grand opera to nil other forms of vocal effort, though he confessed that to create character in. a ballad 011 the concert platform was intriguing. ’’One of my most interesting experiences in London,” said Mr. Williams, "was the annual fortnight’s performance of Cole-ridge-Taylor's ’Hiawatha’ in costume at the Itoyiil Albert Hall, with the London Choral Society. I was in the first performance away back in 1024- —1000 in the cast and an audience of 7000 nightly. .1 he first conductor was Eugene Goossens, but in recent years Dr. .Malcolm Sargent has been the conductor.” Needless to say Mr. Williams has sung all over the United Kingdom m oratorio, and has hud considerable experience under all the great conductors including Toscanini, Weiugarlner Bruno Walter, Eugene Goossens, Junr., Sir Thomas Beecham, Sir Henry Wood, Malcolm Bargent, Koussewilzski, John Barbirolli,- au<L tbe_late

Sir Hamilton Harty. The most magnetic and compel!ing figure with ti baton was ’l’oscanini, who got magnificent results by demanding them. He had all the players in file orchestra sitting- 011 the edge of their chairs. It was a rare thrill even to watch him at rehearsal. Mr. Williams said that he would probably be in New Zealand for about eight weeks, after which ho would return to Australia. Ultimately lie hoped to go to America, ■which country lie has not so far visited.