MISS FLORENCE YOUNG

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9258, 27 January 1916, Page 6

MISS FLORENCE YOUNG

AN APPRECIATION By J.C.N. It is just about twonty-five years since Miss Florence Young took to the stage and the public took to her. Her first appearance in Melbourne wag not, as is popularly supposed, in “Paul Jones,” but in “Boccaccio.” At that time the Messrs MacMahon Bros, had the lease of the Opera House, and the late Mr George Musgrove, in association with them. started a season of comic opera with Mr Alfred Plumpton as conductor. “Paul Jones” was put on with Mdme. Marion Burton in tho title role, and proved an immense draw. Miss Florence Young was about to make a start simply in the chorus, but her fine voice attracted attention. Sho was given the part of Beatrice in “Boccaccio,” and immediately “made good.” 1 remember the occasion well, being at that period engaged as musical critic on the staff of the “Argns.” Miss Young held a good position in society, and had many friends, who—neglecting the proverb that a “prophet hag no honour in his own country”—flocked to the theatre to give her a good send-off. By them she was showered with flowers, but she captivated her audience on her absolute merits as a singer. As to her acting, it was certainly not characterised by the freedom which now permeates her movements on the- stage, but there were no two opinions about her splendid singing. It was a most satisfactory debut? When one looks back on the musical events of the present generation, the fact irresistibly comes up in the minci that Antipodean singers, with Madame Melba at their, head, have fairly belt, their own' against all-comers. In regard to comic opera, two Australian names always come prominently to the surface —those of Nellie Stewart and Florence Young. At the present time, the latter has reached the Standard of an all-round artist of superior capability especially suited to comic opera Or pantomime, with .an exceptional voice. It was her voice that made her, and it is as good now as evjer it was—/riiellow, rich, ringing,' uniform in colour throughout its ex-; tended range. She has been a great stand-by to the . Williamson, manage-' ment.. English and American artists have come and gone, with varying success, but, in racing parlance. Miss Florence Young has been a “consistent performer” throughout. It was just after her appearance with the Musgrove management that she was sought by the firm of J. C. Williamson to' play the part of Casilda in “The Gondoliers.” and, despite her short, stage expenerice, she made a particular success. of the character. . Since the- first production of that most notable opera ot Gilbert and Sullivan she has had more engagements with the Williamson management than any. other musical or dramatic principal who could be mentioned. . There were two breaks in her association with the firm—first of all when she went-to England-in 1897, and later, in 1905, when she paid a visit to, America. In the former case she vis-.' ited Paris and took lessons in vocalisation from the great Marchesi, who was very anxious that she should qualify herself to appear in grand opera. Buf the young Australian singer “shied” at the prospect of having to learn font’ or five languages—a prescribed nece* sity—and thought she would rather stick to comic opera. From the com mercial point of view it is just as well she did, for her earnings on the comicopera stage have been greater than they would in all probability have proved in the higher-sphere. Miss Florence Yoring has always been aa especial favourite with the New Zealand public, and she has made a particular success in principal boy parts •n pantomime. Probably the character of the adventurous and easy-going, good-natured buccaneer in “Paul Jones” may be reckoned after all as her most popular achievement, and there will no doubt be a theatre-full ot old admirers to see her once more in the congenial part, especially as only the one performance is to be given on Friday night. Personally, I think the management would have been well advised to have arranged some repetitions of this fine old opera of Planquette, considering the excellent cast that is available.