"TE RANGI PAI."

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5846, 13 March 1906, Page 7

"TE RANGI PAI."

A NEW ZEALAND CONTRALTO. Tho experiences at Home of “To Kangi Rai ” (Mrs Howie*, the wellknown New Zealand contralto,who give;-; her first recital at the Town Hal! on Thursday night next, arc interesting. This lady in tho five or six years spoilt in tlie Old Country had a distinguished career upon the concert platform, and made many friends. Her public appearances wero frequently made in tho presence of royalty, and her exceptional vocal ability placed her in an enviable position. In tho course of a brief chat with a “Times” renrcscntath’3, “To llaugi Rai ” indicated clearly enough that her pleasant personality was not retained solely for the concert platform. “'After appearing in New Zealand,” she said, “ and after a tour of Australia, I was induced to go Homo to study under Mr Santlcy. This was nearly six years ago. Acting under tho advice of Sir Hubert Parry, X gave an opening concert at Queen’s Hall. Afterwards 1 appeared at all the great festivals at the Albert Hart and/ other celebrated hallsI sang at th<y Coronation Festival, a most important event, of course, when Ganz conducted. I have been associated on tho platform with all the leading singers, save Clara Butt. She, being a deep contralto also, I never sang with. I have sung, however, with Ada CrossIcy, Watkin Mills, Eva Foster, and so on. I sang in Ireland and Scotland, as well as in many parts of England.

“I think one of the most interesting episodes iu my London experience was when I sang at an entertainment given by the Children’s Protection League. I was on tho committee of the league, and was specially asked to sing for the tableau provided by Queen Alexandra, and arranged by Lady Henry Somerset. I sang ‘The Children of tho City/ and a number of children gathered from the East End slums formed tho tableau. It was quite a special thing that 1 should bo chosen for this, and, oi course, very gratifying. All the principal Court ladies arranged tableaux from pictures by Royal Academy artists, who also assisted in the arrangementh.

“My first actual concert in England was at Liverpool, where X appeared with Lady Halle, Muriel Foster, Santley, arid others. At tho last Irish Festival at the Albert Hall, by tho way, I sang by order of tho Queen a new version of ‘ Weafin’ of the Green ’ —a loyal sotting of tho song—tho words being by Miss Isabel Sullivan, daughter of • Admiral Sullivan. _ The latter came all the way from' Paris to hear me sing this. At tho 1902 Irish Festival I sang with Madame Bello Cole at what provecl_ to bo her last app.earance. I was the first to give a concert in London solely contributed to by New Zealand artists. My first was of this typo, and also a recital I gave at tho Steinway Hall. Amongst tho performers at the latter were Miss Bello Napier (the reciter), Mr Victor Booth (now showing great promise at the Royal Academy of Music), and Mr A. L. Edwards (a tenor), formerly of Auckland. This all goes to show, you sec, that New Zealanders are taking a prominent part in music in tho Old Country.” “To Rangi Pal” went on to relate how that, on the night the news of her mother’s death reached London , _ she was singing at a festival at King’s Lynn, in tho presence of the King. “I travelled down,” she said, “with the other artistes, and I noticed that, strange to say, every paper they mo to read had a piece torn off. they were keeping the news hack for fear of unnerving me. When I sang ‘Oh, Rest in the Lord’ that night tho audience seemed very much overcome. They knew what I did not then know. I only found out next day that my mother was dead, and I did not sing for a long while after that.

“Tho Landgrave of Hesse, a cousin of the Queen’s, was, by the way, very charmed with tho Maori folk-songs I used to sing. Ho told, me they reminded him of the music of his own people. ‘Home, Sweet Homo’ in tho (Maori language always captivated, tho English people. I shall include it in my Wellington programme.” This subject of (Maori music is a very interesting one, and, opinions regarding it being a good deal divided, our representative asked "To Rangi Pai” at this stage whether she considered there is a future for it at Home. Her reply was very emphatic. “I do, indeed,” she said “I think they must turn this way to provide some new atmosphere for comic opera at Home. For instance, if Mr Alfred Hill’s ‘Tapu’ were there, I am sure it would be a success—a great hit. You see, there has been nothing of the kind. They have had Japan and a host of other countries for their locales, the Indians at Earl’s Court,, and the ‘ooons’ from America. Why, the Maoris gave a haka at the opening of one of my concerts, as a welcome to Mr Seddon, and I never saw people get so excited in my life. Some made a rush to the doors, thinking Die Maoris wore mjd! The Princess of Wales was very interested. Talking of Maoris, this troupe was going along one day, near Buckingham Palace, when one urchin said to another, ‘Who’s them ?’ ‘Them,’ replied tiho second one. ‘Oh, them’s from tho Cannibal Islands!’ ”

It is “Te Rangi Pai’s” intention to give as many concerts in Australasia ns possible in a short stay. She is in New Zealand partly upon private business, and cannot prolong her visit, being due back in London for next season, whore several engagements await her, after fulfilling those in Sydney and Melbourne.