OPERA HOUSE SCENE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1931, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE SCENE

SINGER AND CONDUCTOR.

INTERRUPTION TO “RIGOLETTO.”

From Bratislava, the capital of Czecho-iSlovakia, comes news of excited demonstrations by the audience of the Slovakian National Theatre against M. Baklanov, the opera star, who appeared as “guest” in “Kigoletto.” During the performance M. Baklanov gave frequent signs of being dissatisfied with the conductor, a Czecho-Slovakian, named Vincourek. In the second act M. Baklanov suddenly stopped singing, and, stepping forward on the stage, he exclaimed, turning toward the conductor, in a loud voice: “Damnation! The fellow can’t conduct!” An expression insulting to Czecho-Slovakia is reported to have followed. The audience immediately rose against the singer, taking.sides with the conductor, and after some disorder the performance was continued. In front of the theatre a large crowd had gathered, and when M. Baklanov 'left, he was received by vehement shouts of disapproval. He had to be protected by the police on his way to bis motor-car. He left Bratislava by a night train*