“NERVES” ATTACK WORRIES GREAT CHALIAPIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 4

“NERVES” ATTACK WORRIES GREAT CHALIAPIN.

COVENT GARDEN AUDIENCE PUTS HIM AT EASE, HOWEVER LONDON, May 27. “ One of my most pleasurable artistic experiences during my career " was the remark made by Chaliapin vesterdax as he received a “ Daily Chronicle" representative after his memorable de but at Covent Garden, i “ I will tell you why, " said the fam i ous singer. “ First of all the theatre ! itself • • what a noble house how fine to sing in, with its perfed acoustics, I think I only know one finer ; that is the Scala, of Milan. ; " Then the audience. llow charming '' it was to me to see everyone, the aris tocracy, the middle classes—and the , working classes aloft--all seated ready 1 for the performance by half-past seven i It is not always like that elsewhere. “ Like every artist, I was nervous and

apprehensive: here T was at last to appear on the historic stage of Covent Garden, so rich in tradition and atmosphere. “ When I went on to sipg in the prologue I said to myself, T shall have to work hard to establish that link between myself and this brilliant audience, which is so necessary to the true artist. “ But in a minute I found I had done so, and from that time onward I was just myself, or rather my role -quite oblivious of the audience: I felt no need whatever to think about them: I knew they were with me. " Speaking of his wonderful “ makeup. " Chaliapin said: “ T had a delightful compliment, paid, shall J say, by one artist to another. "Mr Morris Guest, the famous American producer (who staged the ‘Miracle’ in New York), hearing I had no proper assistance in my dress-ing-room, kindly came and helped me to dress and make up. “My conception of the part of Mefistofele, ” said M. Chaliapin, in reply to a question, “ might be described as inspired by the Beelzebub of Milton. L think that explains it admirably. “ I do not think I should call it my greatest role, but it is one, of course, that an artist with a feeling for drama must always find fascinating. ” After the performance, during which in spite of many requests, no one was allowed to visit the artist in his room, Chaliapin held “ court ” in his dressing room, clad in his famous Japanese silk dressing-gown. It is estimated that over a thousand people, including many well-known titled and society folk, came to congratulate him. Asked if he hoped to sing again next season, Chaliapin replied, “ \ es, I want to give Londoners a chance to see some more of my big roles. ” “ I feel happy that I have made my appearance here this season, for i sec evident signs that grand opera is once more taking its proper place in English life. ”