THE MAROTTA CONCERT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 290, 7 December 1928, Page 8

THE MAROTTA CONCERT

More than ordinary interest attaches to the grand concert to be given on Tuesday , Dec. IS, in <he Opera House, by Signor and Signora Marotta. It is a long time since Miss Eva WebbJones’ voice was heard on a -concert platform in Wanganui, and in the ensuing period her experiences have been quite romantic. Just prior to her coming to New Zealand with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company she was called on to have her voice tested for

grand opera, the test being conducted by Mr Joseph Hislop, the celebrated Scottish tenor. From over 300 voices Miss Webb-Jones was placed in the first eight of 16 selected to subsequently undergo a more exacting order under Madame Melba.

Returning to Sydney after the New Zealand tour with the Opera Company Miss Webb-Jones was informed immediately on her arrival that Madame Melba was conducting the trial for grand opera the following day. After what Madame described as a “terribly difficult” test, she selected Miss WebbJones as one of the four Sydney sopranos to join the members of the Italian company, who had arrived at Melbourne, paying her the compliment of saying that she was the possessor of a very beautiful voice. Miss WebbJones remained with the company till the expiry of the Sydney-Melbourne contract, when she and Signor Marotta were re-engaged for Adelaide and Perth. As a number of the principals and the chorus had eturned to Italy, it was found impossible to put on the operas in which Signor Marotta played important roles, and in view of thip and of the fact that Miss Webb-Jones had entered into another important contract concerning matrimony, the firm released them, Signor Marotta undertaking not to appear in public till the expiry of the contract on November 22. Naturally, therefore, great interest attaches to their appearance at the Opera House on December 18. The box plan opens on Monday next at 9 a.m at H. I. Jones and Son’s.