OPERA (Founded by the EARL OF HAREWOOD)

Vol 7 No 3

MARCH 1956

Editor: HAROLD ROSENTHAL Assistant Editor: ANDREW PORTER Associate Editors: PHILIP HOPE-WALLACE

WILLIAM MANN, CECIL SMITH, DESMOND SHAWE-TAYLOR

Contents Cover: Jess Walters as Papageno Photo Houston Rogers The Vic-Wells Opera, 1931-39: 1

by Joan Cross, C.B.E. A Gallery of Great Singers by Desmond Shawe-Taylor 6: Giuseppe Anselmi Mozart Bicentenary Celebrations page 140

146

152

ews

153

Including contributions by Claudia Cassidy, Joseph Wechsberg , Wolfgang Notter , R eginald Smith Brindle , Ester Dinacci and Al/arcelSenechaud Gramophone Records 174 Opera Diary 181 Competition Result 190 Late News from Milan by Claudio Sartori 193 Opera Calendar 194

OPERA Pub li shed monthly fo r Haro ld Rosenth a l by R o ll s H ou,c Pub li shing Company Ltd . . 2 Bream s Buildin gs , London. E.C.4 (HOLborn 5708). Subscrip ti on ra tes 35s . (G rea t Brit ai n). 33s . 6d . (abroad), fo r o ne year ( 11 issues a nd index); C .S.A ., S5 .00 ; France. Fr. 1750. Single copies 2s . 6d . Edit o r ia l Oftkc : 6 Wood land Rise . London. N.10: te l. Tl.iDo r 4415 Ad,-erti sing Office: J. Stoncba nks . 33 Cra" :fo rd P lace . London. v.·. I: tc l. PAOding10n 2038