MUSIC IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17984, 9 January 1922, Page 6

MUSIC IN AUCKLAND.

RAPID STRIDES MADE.

DAME CLARA BUTT'S VIEWS.

*"J never realised how beautiful New Zeduwl really is until this tour," said Dame Clara Butt, the famous contralto, who with her husband, Mr. Kennerioy Rumford, the noted baritone, arrived in Auckland on Saturday afternoon. Ths English singers had enjoyed a week's moto* tour, embracing Napier, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Eawera, and Marton, whore they joined the Main Trunk express. "Motoring has -.wealed many beauty spots hidden from the railway traveller," said Dame Butt, "and my voice has benefited considerably through being in ths open air during the past week, the weather having been perfect." It is eight years since the populas artiste were last in Australia and New Zealand. They are both struck with ths rapid strides music has made since theii previous visit. They state that they consider great credit is due to M. Henri Va>Jj brugghen and his orchestra and the State V Conservatorium of Music in Sydney for this state of affairs. In addition Australians and New Zealanders who went to Europe on active service during the war have come back imbued with a taste fov good music acquired during their trips to England. This advancement is'noticeable the world O'cer, but especially so in Australia and New Zealand.

With the conclusion of their tour next' week, Dame Butt and Mr. Romford will have given over 50 concerts in Australia and New Zealand, and so great has been tjje enthusiasm throughout that the records of the previous tours have been exceeded by one-third. The visitors will leave by the Makura for Canada. They will commence an extended tour of that country and the United States immediately after 1 their arrival at Vancouver. Despite the trials and hard work during the war, both artists look as well as they did on their last visit: Bamo Butt thrived on the work she did during the war, and Mr. Rumford's experieucss in France have not left any visible mark. Their children have now grown beyoad the remsmbmnce held bv those who saw them b 1914. Roy, the oldest, ha 9 developed into a first-class cricketer at Eton. Joy has grown into * fine girl, and recent photographs picture her as the image in every way of her mother. Victor, the youngest, is still at school. None of the children accompany their parents on the present tour.