PERSONAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12406, 27 March 1926, Page 14

PERSONAL AND GENERAL

Mr Kenneth Impett, the New Zealand baritone, who recently gained the distinction of being the/ first singer in Australasia to win the. coveted Brownlee Scholarship, has signed a contract with the Broadcasting Company of Australia Pty., Ltd. • •• . ■ • ■ • About March, 1927, will see the commencement of another opera season in Melbourne. Several artists have already been engaged and, if at all possible, a number of Wagner’s- operas will be staged. A complete German company will he necessary for this season, and Messrs John and E. J. Tait are already busy on this plan. * • •#. • A London correspondent writes that Miss Stella Murray, who returned by the Port Bowen, has already received some offers of engagement and is to sing at the Crystal Palace shortly. She was wirelessed while at sea with regard to this fixture. • • • • The admirers of Andre Skalski will be glad to know that he is appearing with great success in Prance. Here is a translation of one French critiolsm: — "M/ A. Skalski is an eminent pianist, and ranks with the greatest. His techjiiqne is. impeccable, his tone sonorous, incomparable. His subtlety and command s of nuance are delightful, his virtuosity is dazzling, and withal, he has a scrupulous regard for time, and a highly developed feeling for rhythm. M. Skalski possesses all these qualities in the highest degree, and his success was great and immediate. He is also a remarkable conductor and an incomparable accompanist. . . .’’ This is part of one of many Continental criticisms, all equally enthusiastic. Mme. Jeritza, who has been engaged for the Govent Garden season, will sing in ( Wolf-Ferraries "Jewels of the Madonna," in Massenet’s "Thais," and as Sieglinde in a . special performance of "Die Walkure." "The Jewels of \the Madonna" has been produced for the aim time in America at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, and Mme. Jeritza has had a great success in the essentially dramatic part of Maliella. •■•• ■ • • To sit in a Paris theatre and witness the performance of a' Wellingtonian’s composition was the unique experience of a returned New Zealander, When doing the rounds of Paris theatres he saw the poi danced to. the haunting melody of Alfred Hitl'a "Walata Poi, played snperbly by an orchestra of some 40 performers. The scene showed a tropical island. aud the chorus, who were dressed like Fijians, performed the poi. This was at. the Moulin Eouge,'and the act was announced in a queer mixture of French and Maori. It was extremely gratifying to the New Zealander that even on the Continent Mr t Hill’s Maori compositions were being accepted. Mr Hill is now in America.