WAITER’S RISE TO FAME

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1930, Page 10

WAITER’S RISE TO FAME

PARIS’ NEW STAR TENOR. SUCCESS AT OPERA COMIQUE. The Opera Coni'iqup of P-ii’i • has a new “star” tenor in flic persu n of . Jean Anzani. who not very long age l was a waiter in a restaurant and who never) dreamed of taking music seriously. But he loved music and he could not refrain from it jug his voice when ever opportunity came. He would sing m the kitchen, and his fellow-waiters soon persuaded him to sing' at some of their smoking concerts and at other little festival'. At one of these' concerts Dr. Georges chanced to hear Jcran, with riesult that early in December last waiter was invited to visit i rectors of the Opera Comique n ’“' S| ng one of bi=, favourite airs.l Wb, 'Wpske.d if he knew anything

about music he confessed that he did “Excellent.” When questioned in regard to the amount he needed to live on Anzaru sa.id that £l.O a mouth would suffice. The director thereupon I'iemarke- 1 : “Then lay aside your wader’s apron tomorrow ami enter the school of bae Opera Comique.” Since then the ex- waiter has studied ami practised coniinuously under masters of h’s art—his only pre viou ; instructors were gramophone records— and a few weeks ago he made his debut as Mn.rio in “La Tosea. ” The fir>t -md was a iriumph fo.' Anzani, but. the (ondmdor refused to give, any enemies so a not tn tire I’.ie mw singe-'. Moro demands lor encores in the second net were also refused, hut. in the third, ami '- a showe.- of, Howers the waiter tenor wa ' allowed to respond to (he cries of “Bis” from all pants of the house.