JAN KIEPURA

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8606, 21 April 1934, Page 3

JAN KIEPURA

SHOWING AT ACADEMY THEATRE NEXT WEEK Jan Kiepura is a Pole, and seven years ago was unknown as a vocalist. Then lie appeared at the opera in Warsaw and sang the title-role in "Faust." He achieved instantaneous success and was at once on the high road to fame. In the same year he won first prize in a competition held in the Polish capital in which many famous vocalists competed. This led to a flattering engagement by a Paris manager, but before appearing in Paris he filled an engagement in Vienna, where Professor Schalk, director of the Opera, recognised the unusual ability of the young vocalist. By the time he sang in Paris his name and ability were widely known. At that time he was in his twenty-fourth year. In May. 19 27, Jan Kiepura won sensational success in London, first as a radio artist and then at the Albert Hall. From those stages to a gramophone record "best seller" was but a step. A big European tour followed, and then he returned to Vienna and sang the chief role in Korngold's opera "The Miracle of Heliane." Shortly afterwards he realised the dream of every vocalist: Kiepura was invited to sing at the Milan Scala, and appeared in several operas. Afterwards he visited South America and for a time was first tenor at the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires, the largest theatre in the South American continent. When, therefore, at the end of 1929 he returned to Europe his fame was world-wide. Jan Kiepura is still under contract at the Vienna Opera, and his appearances there are always gala nights. "Tell Me Tonight" is his second talkie. This picture roused the critical picture-goers of Berlin to enthusiasm, and whereever shown on the Continent (under the title of "Song of the Night") repeated its Berlin success. It is greatly to his advantage that Jan Kiepura, like many Poles, is an excellent linguist, singing easily in German, English, French, Italian and Spanish. "Tell Me To-night," which will be screened at the Academy Theatre next week, affords unusual and fascinating entertainment in its brilliant comedy, the charm of the vocalist, the fidelity of the musical numbers and the amazing beauty of the outdoor locations. "Tell Mo To-night" has many angles of appeal its melodious music, its delightful comedy, the naturalness of the acting, the humanity of the story, the beauty of the open-air settings, the little flecks of drama which add sparkle to the action, and uncertainty of the finale.