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Well-advanced plans for the 1948 concert season provided for a greater degree of ■co-operation in musical productions witli local choirs and musical societies than has been possible before. Late in March the Royal Wellington Choral Union was assisted to give a notable performance of Handel's " Messiah "in the Wellington Town Hall. The Service provided an orchestra of good quality, and made available the services of Miss Isobel Baillie. Proceeds from the performance were given by the Choral Union to the Food for Britain Fund. The most ambitious musical undertaking of its kind yet planned for the Dominion will take place in the Christchurch Cathedral on 22nd and. 23rd April, when, by arrangement with the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral, and the Christchurch Harmonic Society, the National Orchestra, the Harmonic Society Choir, Miss Isobel Baillie, and local soloists will be associated, under the conductorship of Mr. Andersen Tvrer, in presentations of Bach's Mass in B Minor, known as one of the greatest of all works in the choral repertoire. . Preparations are also well in hand in all centres for the production of the opera *' Carmen," which will commence a Dominion tour in Dunedin on 27th May. In each centre the opera will be presented by a local society, but the Broadcasting Service will provide the Orchestra, and make available to the local organizations the services of Mr. Andersen Tvrer, as Musical Director ; Miss Janet Howe, English mezzo-soprano, as Carmen ; Mr. Arthur Servent, English tenor, as Don Jose ; and two New Zealanders, Miss Dora Drake and Mr. Bryan Drake, to fill subsidiary parts in the cast of principals. ■Singers for the other principal parts, and the chorus, will be provided by the local organizations, which will retain responsibility for all advance arrangements for the opera seasons in their respective centres. OVERSEAS ARTISTS In addition to the overseas artists mentioned in the previous section who were brought to New Zealand by the Service, studio recitals and tours of the National stations were arranged for a number of artists visiting the country under their own auspices or under private management. Not all artists on concert tours of the Dominion are available for broadcasting, but whenever it is possible to make satisfactory arrangements they are engaged by the Service. An event of major significance in New Zealand music was the appearance of Colin Horsley in three concerto performances with the National Orchestra. Mr. Horsley is a young New Zealander who has made a name for himself overseas as a concert pianist of high rank. His performances with the Orchestra provided an opportunity for the highest recognition to be shown him by the country of his birth. He was also engaged during his tour to give a total of twelve studio broadcasts from the main National stations. Among other artists and combinations heard this year were Alan Eddy, Australian baritone; Senia Chostiakoff, Russian tenor; Jenny Howard, English comedienne; Dr. Edgar Bainton, former Director of the State Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, in lecture-pianoforte recitals; Anna Jacobovitch, Australian pianist; Dr. Fielden, pianist, and Examiner of the Royal Schools of Music, London ; Ninon Vallin, French soprano ; Rosina Raisbeck, Australian soprano ; the Boyd Neel Orchestra and Max Gilbert, principal 'cellist, and Frederick Grinke, violinist and leader of the Orchestra ; the Kathleen Sturdy Quartet of the Boyd Neel Orchestra ; Clement Q. Williams, Australian baritone, with Enid Conley, pianist and accompanist; John Charles Thomas, American baritone ; Simon Barere, Russian pianist; George Formbv, English comedian ; Ella Shields, English comedienne ; the Bridges Instrumental Trio of Australia ; Bruce Skurry, Australian harmonica virtuoso; and Claire Ward, Australian soprano.

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