MISS WINIFRED CARTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24733, 9 October 1941, Page 5

MISS WINIFRED CARTER

DISTINGUISHED HARPIS7

The visit to Dunedin of Miss Wini-' fred Carter, a distinguished harpist, who, with Mr Henri Penn, will give a series of broadcast recitals for harp and piano, is of interest in Dunedin musical circles. This is an unusual combination of instruments', and much of the music has been arranged by Mr Penn from orchestral scores.

Miss Carter, who was born m Auckland, and began her musical studies under the direction of her father, then went to Australia, where she studied under Henri Verbrugghen, conductor of the New South Wales Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Conservatorium. and later became professor of the harp at the Conservator]um. The great French harpist, Grand Jany, was her teacher at Fontainebleau. when

she studied in France. For 16 years Miss Carter lived in the United States, and was first harpist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra—the only woman in an orchestra with 90 men, the conductor being the late Galbrilowitsch. Other world famous conductors under whom she has played include Eugene Orrhandy, Leopold Stoßowski, Fritz Reiner, Stravinski, and Siegfried Wagner (son of the great Richard Wagner). "The orchestras in the United States," Miss Carter said, "look lovely on the stage—the women's dresses and the settings are elaborate and artistic. Each large city has its own symphony orchestra, and the conductor is often world-famous. The work is arduousit is a full-time job, and the orchestras practise every day—and salaries, especially for the solo instruments, are enormous. The people of the United States are interested in music, and the audiences are appreciative and critical.

Other world-famous personalities whom Miss Carter has known and played for include Nelson Eddy, Lily Pons, Gladys Swarthout, Lawrence Tjbbett, Richard Crooks and all the metropolitan • stars. "American wompn," said Miss Carter, "are less affected by age than any other women, I have met. It is a usual thing for a woman at the age of 50 or even 60, when she has reared a family and her children are off her hands, to take up some study. This mental activity does more to keep American women alert and vigorous than all the beauty treatments. But this also is a factor which is never neglected by them. They are always well groomed and spend a considerable amount of time on their appearance." Miss Carter, who has resided in New Zealand for the past two years, played in the Centennial Orchestra, and now. lacking the orchestral background, she is greatly enjoying her work with Mr Penn. "The smoke-like tones of the harp blend beautifully with the piano," she said, "and the combination is very sstisfvinfi.' 1 * When their New Zealand tour is completed. Miss Carter and Mr Penn plan to visit Australia. South Africa and the United States.