Musical and Dramatic Items

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23839, 14 December 1940, Page 10 (Supplement)

Musical and Dramatic Items

npHERE was a large attendance at the Baptist Tabernacle last week when the Tabernacle choir and the Hamilton Baptist choir gave a combined recital of Handel's "Messiah." The soloists were Mrs. Clinton Williams, soprano (Auckland), Miss Lorna Clark, contralto, and Mr. R. Enwright, tenor (Hamilton), and Mr. Clinton Williams, basso (Auckland). The conductor was Mr. A. E. Wilson, of Auckland, while Mr. G. P. Salthouse, of Hamilton, conducted the first chorus. The organ accompanist was Mr. A. E. Wilson, and Mrs. Lonsdale, of Hamilton, acted as pianist. Auckland audiences who saw and enjoyed the ballet in the Centennial production of "Faust" and the Operatic Society's "Merrie England," will be

pleased to learn that the same ballet mistresses, Beryl Xettleton and Bettina Edwards, will be producing another show shortly. The scene will be the concert chamber, on December 16 and 17. and the production is to be "The Little Mermaid." Richard Watson, who will make hi* appearance in New Zealand with J. C. Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera company was the Grand Inquisitor in "The Gondoliers." in which the tour will be inaugurated at His Majesty's Theatre, on December 30, never wanted to be an actor. Born in Adelaide, Mr. Watson found schooldays so pleasant that he became a schoolmaster. But he bad a voice which won him three years scholarship at the I Royal College, London, fie went to England in 1926, and ho soon found himself in Covent Garden. Ho remained there until 1932, when D'Oylv Carte saw his performances and engaged him for Savoy opera. After his last trip to England Mr. Watson wont back to Covent Garden until war was declared. He offered his services with the Army, and on being rejected, joined the A.R.P., in London; took the St. John Ambulance certificate, and put in some months motor driving and stretcher 'bearing. Owing to continual blackouts he could not refuse an offer from j J.C.W. Ltd. to return to Australia j and New Zealand.