SIGNORINA VALOBRA

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 103, 28 October 1932, Page 9

SIGNORINA VALOBRA

TALENT-' AND CHARM

The first sight of Signorina Valobra, tvhen interviewed for "The Post," was 'delightful as she was energetically "rehearsing" a tiny golden-haired _,sliild for a small part in. one of the

• -operas, and both were having the greatest fun. It was stated that a little Aucklander who played the same minor role, in parting with "Madame," ' fiflrst into tears and refused to be coin"^oTted. . I

4/- The Signorina is a native of Spezia, ■•*nd is only 25 years of age—a charming --.personality, and delightful in appear::ance. She has sung mostly at the great rla Scala Theatre in Milan, and is a "~j>roteg& of Toscanini, the famous conductor. She is the youngest soprano - iWho has ever appeared at that theatre, '■■"nnd she has sung there-for six years.! ••-Signorina Valobra was the first to take ■-"ithe lyric soprano part of Liv in the

-«pera "Turandot," Puccini's posthu..jsnous work which was finished by -.LAlfano. She tells how, at the first per—iformance, Toscanini ordered the music

]to be stopped, at the place -where Puc- - «mi died without finishing it, and the * -audience stood for* three minutes in dE'Hence as a tribute to the composer. : JThc Signorina was chosen by Puccini .'..-himself to take the role of Madame Butterfly at the opening of a new - -theatre at Milan which was afterwards -dedicated to his memory. Another .. compliment paid to her was that she ...■was chosen to sing the role of Mimi at ra gala, performance given, at the mar- ,, jiage of the Crown Prince of Italy to - Princess Marie of Belgium. Signorina Valobra is greatly im-.-pressed with the beauty of the scenery , .around Auckland and on the way to , .."Wellington. She remarked that New Zealand audiences are so receptive, and she1 thinks it is partly due to the lovely country that the people are so' appreciative of beauty in sound as well "..as.of colour. "If the women here are ~;as. beautiful as their country they must ~l>p wonderful,-" she said smilingly, and added a word of admiration for the children, whom she- found not only • pretty but most intelligent. Asked about Mussolini, Signorina fl'alobra Tjecame serious and earnest. *'A man who is a godsend to Italy," she said, "he came when the country was in dire need, and as long as the people keep him their country w,ill bo - happy." He is a talented violinist, and "when he- is tired in-body and mind he takes to his violin and gets rest and refreshment. She said she was sure •there was no truth in the rumour that - Mussolini is retiring from public life-people-could not do without him.

:: „ Altogether Signorina Valobra is a -3ady full of charm and intelligence, ■'and her performances will be awaited "iwith much interest.