CHALIAPIN’S SUCCESS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12513, 31 July 1926, Page 14

CHALIAPIN’S SUCCESS

Of Chaliapin's opening concert in Australia, at Melbourne on July 12tli, tho Melbourne "Argus" said:—"The • audience on Saturday night in the audit torium thronged every available space, . including the platform. in a moment , of keen expectation, Chaliapin the great appeared, and with tho most natural > simplicity, cordially greeted everyone in ► all parts of tho hall, amid prolonged i applause. . Much has been written of i Chaliapin in rather terrifying terms of his realism in such works as Mefisto- • foie, Ivan the terrible, and Prince Igor, i His generous selections on Saturday re- • yealed a consummate artist Impeccable i in taste-; human through and through. . Tho immediate impression and the final . verdict as to Chaliapin i.s first, the . phenomenal purity, richness and ex- . tended range of his voice, controlled by i mysteriously adequate breathing; a dru- ’ matic power and lyric charm bevond . which art cannot go; realisation of each mood, temper, phrase, or even syllable i that he sings. Chaliapin's songs covered a wide rango and were sung* in Iwi.shian, Italian, and French. But whatever his choice falls upon—and he seems to be guided by the inspiration of the moment, announcing each number . in turn—the music and the text are transcended by an active living of the scene, situation or sentiment. Drama shorn of scenic and effects yet realised by the artist in so vivid a manner, and revealed so objectively to the audience, is indeed the highest art. Chaliapin is supported by Miss Hilda Sutton, violiniste, and Mr Rabinowitscb, nccoiupnnist." . Some part of the Bible is now printed m 835 languages.