LAWRENCE TIBBETT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 16

LAWRENCE TIBBETT

FIRST CONCERT ON TUESDAY The famous baritone Lawrence Tibbett will commence his Auckland season with a concert on Tuesday night and this will be followed by concerts on Thursday and Saturday nights. Early in his second season at the Metropolitan Opera House. New York. Tibbett was accorded the honour oi being given the part of Ford in Verdi s "Falstaff," a work which had not been presented at tho Opera House for 15 years. He loved the music ol this masterpiece ot lyric drama; he had studied ardently, rehearsed tirelessly and this was his big chance. Tho performance progressed with the glamour to which Metropolitan audiences arc accustomed. Then came the momentous second act. Tibbett came on the stage to sing his monologue, which was marked by superb dramatic contrasts and a constant change of mood demanding resources which few, even the grentesf singers, have. The startled audience realised that something preeminent and phenomenal was being achieved by the man who stood before them. Everyone was hushed to complete silence to catch Tibbett's everv tone. When the curtain fell the audience burst into prolonged applause, which continued for some minutes.