SINGER’S PAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 814, 7 November 1929, Page 14

SINGER’S PAST

Cathedral Ban on Miss Florence Austral MENTION IN DIVORCE CASE Florence Austral, the Australian prima donna who visited New Zealand on the occasion of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin in 1926, was prevented from taking an engagement to sing at the Three Choirs Festival at Worcester. For some time the reason was not disclosed to her. announces the London "Daily Chronicle.” "I did not see what could be gained

by telling her what had happened,” said Mr. John Amadio, the flautist, whose wife she is, in an interview at their home at Hampstead. "So X did not tell her the real facts of the case, which are these:— “When we were in America prelim-

Miss Florence j na ry negotiations Austral were completed and terms fixed. Miss Austral's name even appeared in advertisements. "Then to my amazement, I was told that the contract could not be proceeded with, and Miss Austral could not sing in the cathedral. “The reason given was that her name years ago had appeared in divorce proceedings. Husband’s Comment “It is intolerable to rake up something like this alter all these years and penalise her. It does seem so mediaeval. "I am sorry the unfortunate business has now become public property. I want to keep it from her until after she has done some gramophone recording today, at least. "At the end of the month we are sailing for Canada to make a three months’ tour, starting at Toronto and proceeding to the States. "On our return Miss Austral is undertaking a celebrity tcur of England. and then will come the greatest thrill of her life—thß first return visit to her native Australia. “Eleven years ago she left there a young student. Next year she will return world-famous and will do 40 concerts. "I am afraid news of this unjust ban will distress her frightfully—but she will have to know some time.” The Dean of Worcester, when approached, declined to discuss the subject. Miss Austral was born at Melbourne. Her voice was trained after she sang at village concerts, but until she came to this country she was almost unknown Fame came to her quite suddenly after an understudy triumph at Covent Garden In 1922.

A Delius festival of several weeks’ duration will be held in London this year, with the composer present, reports the Associated Press. Delius will have to be carried into Queen’s Hall for the event, for he is paralysed and blind. Sir Thomas Beech'am is directing the festival. The composer still continues his creative work by dictation.

‘Whether you have composed a little tune or a great symphony it will only be a true masterpiece if Beethoven's inscription on the manuscript score of the ‘Messe Solennelle’ can be applied to it. ‘This work comes from the heart; may it go back to it.”—Felix Weingartner. Ths management of the Bayreuth Festival announces that performances will be broadcast for the first time. This hitherto undreamed-of innovation will mean a boon for many thousands who cannot go to Bayreuth. As planned, the festival will begin on July 22 with “Tannhauser,” and close on August 21 with “Parsifal.” The conductors will be Siegfried Wagner, Karl Muck, Arturo Toscanini and Elmendorff. Two complete cycles of the “Ring” and “Tristran,” are scheduled also.

A summary of the past opera season in Berlin by the “Allgemeine Musikzeitung” of recent date discloses that Wagner (116 performances) is still the most popular composer in Germany, with Verdi (1061 and Puccini (96) not far behind. The most popular opera was “Carmen” (56 performances), with “Freisehutz” (47) and “Fidelio” (38) next in order. In general, German works lead easily in popular favour, Italian also being well represented, with a scattering of Russian, French and a single Hungarian production. The compiler points out the regret of many opera lovers that Cherubini, Handel and Pfitzner had disappeared from the repertoire, though there are three opera houses in the city. Band Contest

With the appointment of Mr. Christopher Smith, of Auckland, as judge of selections and quicksteps, and Mr. A. Schnack, of Christchurch, judge of solos, the judging at the 1930 band contest should cause little complaint. As a player Mr. Smith was associated with one of England’s most famous bands, and he is a musician of ripe experience. Mr. Schnack was for many years conductor of the Timaru Band before he removed to Christchurch. He comes of a family the members of which were all expert cornet soloists. As a bandmaster he has been very successful.