BRAITHWAITE AT COVENT GARDEN CONDUCTS OPERA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22655, 4 June 1948, Page 4

BRAITHWAITE AT COVENT GARDEN CONDUCTS OPERA

Last night the New Zealand-bom conductor, Warwick Braithwaite, reacned the climax of his operatic career when he conducted Bizet's, opera “Carmen” at the Royal Opera! House, Covent Garden, London, incidentally on the same night as an English - born musician, Andersen. Tyrer, conducted “Carmen” in Dunedin, Warwick Braithwaite’s birthplace. Particular interest attaches in Gisborne to this noted conductor’s work for he has a nephew here, Mr. P. W. Braithwane, who follows his uncle's career with considerable interest. Since he toured New Zealand as guest conductor for the New Zealand National Orchestra last year, Warwick Braithwaite has been for three months in charge of the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra and after arriving back in England, amongst other engaments has conducted the 8.8. C, Orchestra in Glasgow and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He has made recordings, too, for His Master’s Voice and Columbia with the Covent Garden guest singers, Madame Kirsten Flagsted, the well-known Norwegian soprano of international fame in Wagnerian roles, and Madame Schwarzkopf, a Viennese soprano of operatic fame. Those who have seen Warwick Braithwaite and who follow his career with interest, will be aware that this opportunity to conduct “Carmen” will be an example of his conducting abilities at their best.

A real and enthusiastic interest in the National Orchestra is shown by Mr. Braithwaite in a recent letter to a Gisborne relative and he states that he hears the National Orchestra is flourishing and just as successful as ever and that he wishes the orchestra continued success.