ABOUT THE LEADING SINGERS— AND BEGINNERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1906, Page 13

ABOUT THE LEADING SINGERS— AND BEGINNERS.

9 Signor Arturo Steffani, who has returned to Sydney after an absence of four years, speaks with authority in the Sydney Morning Herald, upon the difficulties which young singers of exceptional gifts encounter in London. He says that unless they bring with them an overwhelming operatic reputation they find themselves barred by the extreme conservatism which characterises English people generally, and the London press to quite a remarkable extent. When a concert is given, it might be supposed that the readers of a daily paper would like to learn the merits of the newcomers, but what they are informed over and over again is that tho artists of the old brigade "sang splendidly." As the new names are frequently omitted altogether, the young artists have to "peg away" until their audiences begin to look for them and talk about them, and they also get indirectly helped by the always fair and impartial reviews of the groat provincial newspapers. Their critics are keenly alive to new talent, and they also help to form public opinion, which ultimately the London press follows. Madame Ada. Crossley slowly conquered London on her merits exactly in this way, and' now th.at the public wants her she is enrolled by the London critics in the list of those who always "sing splendidly." The only Australian who attracted attention from the first was Amy Castles, the famo of whose student successes in Australia had been noised abroad in advance. Signor Steffani states that the fortunate soprano is now singing like an artist, and has immensely improved upon the student performances she gave during her second Australian tour about four years ago. As regards tho English concert-room voices of the day, Signor Steffani says there is no ono who approaches Mine. Clara Butt, who is the contralto of a century, and is unrivalled in popularity. Tho great rich voice is extraordinary. Next to her comes Ada Crossley, and after her Muriel Foster, but the latter, though a great interpreter, has not a first-rate voice. Amongst the sopranos, Mme. Albani, now retiring, has no definite successor. Signor Steffani considers that Amy Castles and Esta d'Argo (Hetty Holroyd) both possess better prospects of permanent favour than other young sopranos at present in evidence. Mr. Ben Davies also has no successor amongst the tenora, though he himself never made the great position that fell for long periods of years first to Sim Reeves, and then to Edward Lloyd. Thoro are many fine baritones in England, amongst whom Signor Steffani names Dalton Baker as a rising man, likely to eventually replace Andrew Black, at present first after the septuagenarian SantJey. At the same time tho London dailies give Santley much the same notices that they did 40 yoarsago. As regards basses, thero is_ no one in view, and such a voice as Signor Foli's has not arisen since the deatn of that great Irish singer. Signor Steffani, it may bo added, has returned to Australia, with his wife, "for a little sunshine," and has now settled in Sydney again.