WELLINGTON SINGER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 47, 24 February 1945, Page 8

WELLINGTON SINGER

SUCCESS IN LONDON

News has been received in Wellington that Mr. Maurice Buckman Rossiter, who was awarded the Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London last year, has now joined the cast of "Pier Gynt." In the London production he is associated with such well-known stage personalities as Dame Sybil Thorndyke, Laurence Olivier, and Ralph Richardson. A visit to Manchester will follow, and then a season in the Scottish cities.

Mr. Rossiter, who is only 21 years old, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Rossiter, of Hataitai, and the nephew of Madame Rosina Buckman. the New Zealand singer, and now a teacher at the Royal Academy. He is the possessor of a fine bass voice with an exceptionally wide range. He was educated at the Hataitai School and Rongotai College.

On being discharged from the Army on medical grounds last year, he proceeded to England on the advice of Messrs. Anderson Tyrer, Henri' Perm, and other teachers, where he secured the Stokes Scholarship. Prior to leaving New Zealand he had received little tuition, but in London he obtained a high percentage of marks when examined by Mr. Lionel Powell for the Royal Academy.

Since his arrival in London Mr. Rossiter has given an oratorio recital at St. Peter's, Cornhill, a famous old church in which many singers who later became distinguished, were invited to sing.