MUSIC ACTIVITIES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20786, 22 April 1939, Page 17 (Supplement)

MUSIC ACTIVITIES

Lotte Lehmann for New Zealand ’ Madame Lotte Lehmann, recognised as the world’s greatest coloratura ’ soprano and whose singing of lieder ( has aroused tremendous enthusiasm in ( Australia is to give three concerts in ’ Auckland in June. New Zealand Singer for Italy i Oscar Natzke, the New Zealand bass. c is to go to Milan to sing at La Scala. Richard Crooks, tenor, who created [ such a furore on his last visit to New Zealand some years ago, is coming , back. However, on account of forward J contracts this singer will be unable to ( visit any of the country centres. | Three concerts will be given in ’ Auckland and three in Wellington during May. “Messe Solennelle” In Hamilton i Gounod’s beautiful "Messe Solen- , nelle" will be sung by the Hamilton t Philharmonic Society in the Civic Theatre next Tuesday (Anzac Night). The soloists will be: Soprano. Miss , Cora Melvin of Auckland: tenor. Mr W. Tremberth; baritone, Mr Kenneth ■ Sandford. Items will also be given by a number of assisting artists. . Eminent Composer for Hamilton The visit to Hamilton of Alfred Hill, the eminent composer, is creating ' much interest. During the past few ; months Mr Hill has been doing groat work in slimulating interest in music in New Zealand. lie will appear at the opening session of the Hamilton Music Students’ Association on Monday, May 1. , From Mine to Grand Opera ; It was stated recently that Robert . Nicholson, former Australian coalminer, was one of five chosen from 659 candidates as finalists in the Metropolitan Opera auditions in New York. Two will be chosen to become members of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Each will receive a 1000dollar prize and a silver plaque. Robert Nicholson was left, an orphan at the age of 13 years. At J 7. he was earning a living as a coalminer. For a time he sang in choirs and at eisteddfods, but he was still a miner on the Newcastle fields when, at the 1933 City of Sydney Eisteddfod, he reached the semi-finals. Next year he won The Sun operatic prize of £SO. and shortly afterwards came out of the mine when he received chorus and understudy work in Sydney and Melbourne. The visit of Richard Crooks to Australia in 1936 started Mr Nicholson on his operatic, career. Helped by the famous tenor, he gave a number of concerts in Sydney and the country, and later left to study abroad.