SANG GRAND OPERA

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22185, 31 January 1942, Page 4

SANG GRAND OPERA

Italian Prisoners Celebrate Christmas The way Italians in a British prison-er-of-war camp in Egypt celebrated Christmas Day is described by SecondLieutenant Brian Rawson, an officer of the guard of the camp, in a letter to nis mother, Mrs A. E. Rawson, New Plymouth. “On Christmas afternoon I was invited to a concert given by the prisoners and I’ve never heard anything quite so beautiful,” he writes. “They are very industrious in their spare time and literally out of nothing they have manufactured all kinds oi instruments. Their violins are wonderful, with a perfect tone—just as good as any I have heard. There were several comedians who had us in fits, although their actions were all we had to go by. One chap took the male and female parts of a part from a musical comedy and his range with his voice was remarkable, both voices being beautiful. “Then for nearly an hour,” the writer continues, “the chorus sang grand opera and I don’t think I have ever heard anything quite so good. It’s remarkable that so many men could take so many parts, all from memory. But they’re like that. They sing all day and night. I’m sorry I missed hearing the midnight Mass they had on Christmas Eve because I hear it was very good.”