AN AUCKLAND VOCALIST

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3812, 23 September 1936, Page 8

AN AUCKLAND VOCALIST

WINNING FAME IN ENGLAND. Last year a young bass singer in Auckland, Mr Oscar Natzke (who, by the way, was born at Matapara, in Te Awamutu district), so impressed a number of good judges by the possibilities of his developing into one of the best vocalists in the world that arrangements were made for him to have tuition under one of the foremost singing masters in England, Signor Garcia. Mr Natzke made the trip home, and from time to time advice has been received that he has been - making satisfactory progress in his arduous studies. Now comes word, in a private letter from England, written by one who heard Oscar Natzke in New Zealand, that he had wonderfully improved in every way, and is pursuing his studies at the .Royal College of Music. His voice is regarded as more mellow, and the finer nuances that only capable instruction can impart are becoming evident. One of his teachers is still Signor Garcia, who has an international reputation, and he considers that Mr Natzke will, in time, develop into a vocalist better even than the world-famous Chaliapin.' Signor Garcia, in a letter to the young singer’s relatives in New Zealand, waxes enthusiastic about the improvement in his pupil, and is confident r in his prediction that, with ordinary luck, he will eventually become the world’s most famous bass singer of his time. He also goes on to say that New Zealand people do not realise what a wonderful voice of range and quality Oscar Natzke possesses. Other advice to hand refers to Mr Natzke’s appearance at a concert in Wligmore Hall a few weeks ago. His singing of different Italian and German operatic arias was regarded as wonderful, and his dignified and stately manner on the stage was warmly commented upon. It is probable that after Christmas the singer will be sent to Berlin to study under Herr Racheisin for a year, to perfect his German attitudes, personalities, and accent. There he will have full opportunity to develop in German opera, as his type and voice are regarded as so suitable for that heavy class of work. Herr Richeisin is the greatest German maestro of the day, according to competent authorities. Another member of the Natzke family, an older brother, is singing local fame in and around Auckland take the tenor solos in the forthcomas a tenor, and has been asked to ing production of “ The Messiah,” to be presented early in December. At less important musical functions he has received acclaim for his rendering of “ Comfort Ye, My People ” and “ Every Valley,” and critics consider he will be equally competent in “ The Messiah ” solos, difficult as they are. Maybe there are to be two members of one New Zealand family to achieve greatness as vocalists in world musical circles.