TALENT FOR THE DOMINION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 80

TALENT FOR THE DOMINION.

AN EX-WARBIOK CHOIR. LONDON, March 12 rhl?,T m< L rrOW the now-famous Russian Choir, known as the Don Cossacks, will leave Toulon for Australia and New Zeaarrangements having been made by Mr E. J. Carroll, who has arrived from America in time to see the party oft. Thh choir consists of 26 Imperial ex-servict men, under the conductorship of Serge diminished ” S man ° f 27 • who has had a distinguished career as a student at the famous Church Music Academy of the Holv wdlTlmmens°f 0W ’ Musical Zealanders will immensely appreciate the beauty of the choirs unaccompanied singing, and they wall be loata to let the party Jo. ey Wll In London the singers were immensely appreciated, and during their stay last summer they were in request for private engagements at the hMeht of the social !t aS the ,1 ! Tfn flrßt heard hcre Publicly fi.i^«n Albert Hall on the occasion of the appearance of Dame Clara Butt and Mr Kennerley Rumford, and they sane subsequently to thronged audiences at the Queen s Hall. The history of the Don Cossacks and then rapid rise to fame make interesting reading. They fought with Wrangle's army during the late war, and finally they were shipped with the remainder of that body to be transported to Lemnos. Thence they went to Sona to obtain employment at any sort of daily toll in factories or elsewhere, at the same time forming themselves Into a church choir until they were becoming part of the service of the Orthodox Cathedral. At length the prospect of getting permanent work grew less and less, and this party determined to form theriwelves Into a tour ing musical choir. Their first big success was achieved lu Serbia; then they gave concerts in Berlin and Vienna, and other musical centres in mid-Europe. On the Continent they achieved a great reputation. By degrees their appearances in London were arranged, and now the choir is worldfamed. Mr Carroll will be In London for some time, and his first venture here will be to present two Australian pictures to the British public, from scenarios written by M. Forest and M. B. Petersen. Everyone interested in the development of the British film will wish Mr Carroll all success, especially as he was practically the pioneer film maker on the other side of the world. Among the other attractions which Mr Carroll has secured for Australia and New Zealand are “ The Best People,” a play which is to open at the Lyric next week, and " Outward Bound,” the spiritualistic play which had a big season in London. He is establishing offices In London, and 'ls making every effort to obtain all the mosl eminent artists and the best plays for the other side of the world. Mr Carroll saw Kreisler In New York, and the famous violinist told him that he was quite willing to retura for a second tour to Australia and New Zealand. He also met Stefansson in the States, an.l found him deep in the Wilkins Expedition to the Arctic, but there is every possibility that he will also pay another visit to Australia and New Zealand after he has finished a lecture tour In Great Britain. 'Rebecca West and Stephen Leacock are two other famous author-lecturers who will probably journey to the Antipodes to lecture under the Carroll management during the next year.