RICHARD CROOKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 120, 24 May 1939, Page 6

RICHARD CROOKS

A GREAT WELCOME

Friendly relations established by the American tenor Richard Crooks when he last visited Wellington in 1936 were consolidated last night at the Town Hall. His artistry has been kept fresh in the public mind, however, by records put over the air, but the op-' portunity of hearing him sing in person was gladly seized—and he sang last night as to friends rather than to a concert audience. His official programme was compiled with good judgment, not only to enable him to display his superb art, but to appeal to all tastes in aria or song, in selections from grand opera as well as in a selection of Schubert songs. He was, too, exceedingly liberal in* his response to requests and recalls.

His winning personality would always ensure him a good reception, but he is too great an artist to take advantage of popularity, by not giving of the very best in him;v at any rate, that is how the matter stood last night. The great' Sims Reeves, rather frequently disappointed his audience and unkind things were said about the cause; but he himself said that unless his voice was in perfect condition and satisfactory to himself he would not risk his reputation or inflict himself on his audiences. Mr. Crooks, having a chill, took the same view on Saturday, but there was no suggestion of any" hoarseness or difficulty ~in his, singing last night, and he subjected' himself to som# pretty severe tests.' His enunciation was

Today's radio programmes will be

found on page 8. '

perfectly clear, every word being distinctly uttered'and audible in the remotest" parts of the crowded hall. Mr. Crooks's articulation was free and clear, his tone was pure and richly coloured, his phrasing perfect; moreover, he appeared to take an intellectual interest in everything he sang, even in the rightly-called popular ballad, showing a sense of the importance of the words of his various numbers and tjieir significance in musical vesture; This was particularly so in the great tenor aria from "Tosca" (Puccini), "E lucevan le stelle,". and his thrilling delivery of "Sound an Alarm" from "Judas Maccabeus."

M^r. Crooks has his own ideas of the interpretation of outstanding tenor solos in grand opera and oratorio, taking these two numbers into account. The warmth of their reception and the applause (sounding like a hailstorm on an iron roof) showed plainly enough that his ideas were emphatically endorsed by his audience. His strong sense of dramatic values was apparent, but it was not permitted to overshadow his natural vocal gifts and their admirable training and discipline. The concert began with arias from Handel, "Where'er You Walk" and "Alma Mia," followed by his stirring "Sound an Alarm," and after these, in order to still the storm of applause, the. lovely song "Dedication" (Robert Franz) was sung. There followed a group of Schubert songs, sung in German and taken from the.cycle "Die. Schone Mullerin," which were followed, as a recall, by Schubert's "Serenade," sung in English; and, asain to appease the clamour of the audience, the familiar "Songs My Mother Taught Me" (Dvorak), sung with intense pathos and moving effect on the audience.. ..

Other items fr6m Mr. Crooks's extensive repertoire were "Have You Seen a Whyte Lilie Grow," "None But the Lonely Heart" . (Tschaikowsky), '■.Mother o' Mine" (Tours), VNeapolitan Love Song" (Herbert), "Sea Fever" (John Ireland), "Beloved, It is Morn" (Ay 1 ward), and a clever and melodious parody on Handel to which was set the nursery rhyme "Old Mother Hubbard."

There was something for everybody in his programme last night, and this may account in large part for Mr. Crooks's popularity; but in addition to this he is a superb artist in endowments, attainments, and experience. The concert was concluded by the singing of "The Lord's Prayer," a reverent setting by Mallot.

Mr. Frederick Schauwecker was accompanist, playing with singular grace, especially -in the Schubert songs; he also, appeared as a soloist of distinction in a Romance by, Brahms, and a clever executant in a lyrical work of his own composition, following "Morceau Fantastique," a difficult piece, by Medtner.

. The second and final concert will be given tomorrow evening when Mr. Crooks will sing arias from grand opera, "Don Giovanni" and "L'Africaine," popular ballads, and classical numbers. .