GRAND OPERA CONTEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 231, 29 August 1938, Page 11

GRAND OPERA CONTEST

WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS. MR SHERRIFFS SECOND. The final of the Grand Opera contest at the Wellington competitions resulted as follows; Mrs Richard Bradley, Upper Hutt, 170pts, 1 ; Mr C. Sherriffs, Longburn, 168pts., 2; Miss Olga Purton, Khandailah, 166pts, 3; Miss Marie Campbell, Timaru, 162pts, 4. Mr Sherriffs competed under difficulties. He works on a farm and has continued through the contest to milk morning and evening. To sing in the preliminaries on Friday night lie made a fast drive of more than two hours to Wellington, arriving just before his time to go on the stage. Upon leaving the platform he returned to Longburn by oar so that he could start work at 5 a.m. He had won his way into the final and so repeated his journey to Wellington on Saturday. His singing of two arias on Saturday night was’ so good that he was placed second and was praised highly by the adjudication. “Here is a fine voice, well proportioned, vibrant, and easy in production,” the judge (Mr John T. Leech) said in reference to Mr Sherriffs. “He has plenty of reserve, and can plan a climax. It is a well-clothed voice, and this young singer possesses qualities of heart and mind that can be quickly

adjusted to meet the mood requirements. In some instances the sensibilities were blunted through a desiro to preserve contour, and the characters were submerged. His delamato was good, and enunciation firm. Definite rhythm showed that his singing responded to a considered inner control, but lie missed many climatic points that could have been a thrill. Responsibility does not end with the making, and the stages of phrases, and he must learn to ram home his points with precision, create a vivid picture, and dramatise the high spots. Tempos were not elastic enough, but the foundations upon which this young tenor is building are sound. There is something extremely likeable in the personality of tone, and singing consciousness of this young fellow.”

Til the duet in character ID to 16 years. Betty and Dawn Olsen, Palmerston North, were placed second. John Andrews was highly commended, in the section for boys recitation (7 to 10).