Richard Crooks’ Visit

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 114, 17 May 1939, Page 7

Richard Crooks’ Visit

FAMOUS TENOR COMING TO PALMERSTON NORTH

Preliminary applications are now being received at the box office, Collinson and Cunninghame’s, for the Palmerston North appearance of that amazingly popular tenor, Richard Crooks, who will sing in the Mayfair Theatre next Tuesday evening. The triumphs made by this favourite artist on his last visit to New Zealand are still fresh in the memory of all lovers of all that is beautiful in music.

Richard Crooks consistently maintains his position as America’s most popular tenor—and one of tho world’s finest artists. A specialist in many fields, he is master of them all. The natural splendour of his voice lends itself equally well to the singing of operatic airs, classic Lieder, popular ballads or sacred songs. In the consummate artistry of his musicianship and his interpretation he has been repeatedly likened to many of the greatest tenors of the past and the magnetism of his personality is distinctly Richard Crooks. The tenor’s operatic debut was made in Hamburg, Germany, in “Tosca,”and was an unprecedented sensation, follow-, ed by appearances at the Stadische opera in Berlin when he again created a furore. Richard Crooks made liis first appearance at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, on February 25, 1933, in Massanet’s “Manon.” His first appearance there “stopped tho show” for many minutes. Since then he has earned outstanding ovations for his finished portrayals of the leading tenor parts in “Manon,” “La Travlata,” “Faust,” “Linda do Chamounix,” “Tosca,” “Madame Butterfly” and “Mignon.” In a recent radio poll lie was selected as the most popular tenor of classic repertory on the air. Palmerston North is the only provincial town in New Zealand to be visited by this famous artist.