CHALIAPIN.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1926, Page 5

CHALIAPIN.

In tho middle of July, 1908, only a few days after Giulio Gatti-Casazza, now director-general of the Metropolitan Opera House, had been appointed director of the famous theatre of La Scala, Milan, he decided upon a production of Arrigo Boito's opera "Mefistofele." The composer, the conductor Arture Toscanini, and Gatti-Casazza himself were all three greatly perplexed as to who should be engaged for the title role. A basso of exceptional merit was not to be found, and at length someone suggested that the part be rewritten for a baritone. This, however, the composer refused to do. One day a compatriot told tho conductor about a young singer who had been electrifying Russian audiences by. his extraordinary interpretations, and who, in the speaker's opinion, could be counted upon to create a sensation in Milan. A telegram was promptly sent off to Peodor Chaliapin, who immediately accepted the engagement for ten performances at 1000 lire an evening. Chaliapin's New Zealand tour will be restricted to six performances only, three in Wellington and three in Auckland. Messrs. J. and N. Tait, who are directing the tour, announce the booking arrangements. The Wellington dates are 16th, 18th, and 20th September.