A HAPPY MAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26532, 6 August 1947, Page 6

A HAPPY MAN

JOHN CHARLES THOMAS FAMOUS SINGER IN DUNEDIN “ The wonderful attendances and the generous receptions accorded me at all my concerts in New Zealand have been heart-warming,” said Mr John Charles Thomas, the noted baritone, in an interview with the Daily Times last evening. “ I am thoroughly enjoying myself. To sing for New Zealand audiences makes me very happy.” . * * During his tour of Australia and New Zealand, Mr Thomas has found that the songs he has recorded are the most popular. Operatic, arias, which he always includes in his programmes, seemed to be highly appreciated, but it was the more popular songs that appeared to be in the greatest demand. Mr Thomas, nevertheless, believes in singing good music —that is, music which will endure—irrespective of what language the words may be written in. Everything possible was being done in America to-day to educate the younger people in all forms of music, he said. At the universities, lectures were given by experts in all branches of the subject. Not only the students but anyone could enrol and take advantage of these lectures, which were arranged to coincide with regular attractions such as opera and ballet. America had made great progress in musical development and now possessed many excellent orchestras, Mr Thomas said he was pleased that a national orchestra had been formed in New Zealand. Every large city in America possessed its own symphony orchestra. About a dozen of these might be considered to be up to the highest standard with about eight among which there was very little difference. Apart from singing, Mr Thomas likes speed boat racing and golf. If he were not a singer, his first choice would be speed boat racing, but because he is a singer, he devotes much of his leisure to playing golf because a singer must get physical exercise.