Miss Amy Castles

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 28, 19 July 1923, Page 33

Miss Amy Castles

A local press report of Miss Amy Castles' opening concert at Auckland, stated: In His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday eveninfg Miss Amy Castles and her concert company began.a series of three concerts which was attended by a numerous audience. The prima donna is no stranger to Auckland music lovers. She made her premier appearance in the Opera House on May 12, 1902, and sang then as she did on Saturday evening, the scene et air D'Ophelie, from Ambroise Thomas' opera, "Hamlet," and was associated with the famous young Italian tenor, Signor Dani. The diva also toured the Dominion during April, 1911, giving two performances in Auckland, and was principal soprano with the Williamson Grand Opera Company in February, 1920, making a wonderful success of the dramatic role of Tosca in the opera of that name. During these different intervals the illustrious singer has travelled far and wide, and has just concluded a highly successful season of concerts in Australia Associated with the cantatrice, is her gifted sister < Miss Eileen Castles, who made a sensation whilst in Auckland with the Williamson Company, in the Olympian music in Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann"; Signor Alberto Tor-' zillo, a fine harpist, and Mr. Charles Tuckwell, pianist A programme of an exceptionally interesting nature was presented, which catered for all tastes. Miss Amy Castles was down to contribute five solos, but so carried away, were the delighted listeners that before the conclusion of the concert the songstress was emphatically requested to contribute seven extra items. The audience was lavish with its praise, delighted with the beautiful singing of the children's songs and popular ballads, and marvelled at the.fine art exhibited in the dramatic numbers. At the close of the concert the prima donna was warmly ovated and sang two extra solos, and had finally to contribi.re Home, Sweet Home" before the audience would part with her. r