PERSONALITIES

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 4

PERSONALITIES

MAORI STUDIES. A New Zealander, now at Homo, and recently heard from Daventry, who has made an intensive Study of the Maoris of his native land, is Hubert Carta, Auckland-born tenor, who has collected some 40 of the Maoris’ action songs and dances, taught him by the Natives themselves, and has made English verso renderings, since set to music, of a number or Maori legends. In addition to his work as concert and operatic singer, Carta has made a unique reputation as a lecturer on the Maori. His lectures cover a wide field, including Maori history, customs, folk-lore, music, arts and crafts, and ho illustrates them with action songs and dances, as well as with films and lantern slides. Carta was chosen to sing before tho Duke of Windsor, when—as Prince pf Wales—he visited New Zealand in 1920. Two years ago he had the further honour of representing his homeland in the Coronation Choir in Westminster Abbey. • « • • EDWARD GERMAN’S MUSIC. The life and music of Sir Edward German, the distinguished and versatile English composer, was recalled in a programme from Daventry, for which the story of his life—lie died three years ago, aged 74—was compiled. It was in 1889, when ho was 27, that German was given his first big opportunity—by the famous American actor, Richard Mansfield, who commissioned him to write incidental music to 1 Richard 111.’ German did this so well that there soon followed engagements to write incidental music to other plays by Shakespeare, notably for Irving’s prodution of ‘ Henry VIII.’ and Alexander’s ‘ As You Like It.’

Light opera attracted German, and although he wrote much purely orchestral music, he is probably best known as the composer of ‘ Tom Jones,’ 1 A Princess or Kensington,’ and the famous * Merrie England.’