CARRENO.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11997, 25 July 1907, Page 2

CARRENO.

It is interesting to note that it is but a chance that Carreno, the great pianist, who is to favor Nelson with a recital, did not visit New Zealand long ago* Speaking to an Australian interview-ir; she related that she had often meditated making an Antipodean trip, and on two occasions she. had abtUally prepared to do so; "Before I waS in my te-Jns, " she said, "lima di Murska; then known as the Hungarian nightingale, wished me to go with her as. solo pianist ; and a few yoars later 1 nearly joined a concert party -which included Herr Benno Scherek— to tour the Uriited States with the American soprano Madame Kate Thayer. The project fell through as far as~we were concerned, but it took Madame Thayer to Australia, and ehe resided for rt time in Adelaide. The hindrance to a visit has always been the same— that tbe concert season in England begins in October and lasts until the spring, when we birds of passage fly back to the Continent and work hard until the eiid of April. By that time I always find J. need rest so that I am disinclined to push on to Sydney and Melbourne, where the season is just beginning. The present circumstances are different; as. Herr Scherek has adroitly arranged matters so that my concerts here are a prelude to a long series previously planned for the United States. For some years my Continental engagements were so numerous that I did not visit England, but about six years ago I made a point with Herr Wolff, the Berlin agent, that I should see ray friends there, for my association with London dates back to my twelfth year, when I made my debut at St. James' Hall. Accordingly I am always there now from Januriry to mid-March, principally starring on tour; This year I gave my own recitals at the Bechstein Hall, and I starred at four orchestral concerts with the London Philharmonic Society with the London Symphony Orchestra, and twice with Mr Henry J. Wood's orchestra at Queen r s Hall.