Oscar Natzke

New Zealand is home to Oscar Natzke, who has returned, to his native land, after a successful season as leading "bass singer at the Covent Garden Opera House. As a boy, Oscar worked hard on a farm, and later in a blacksmith's shop, with little time for schooling. Meanwhile, his voice had broken and developed into a basso-profundo of astonishing sonority and power. Then his wonderful chance came - and he went to Trinity College of Music, London, where he worked harder still. In three years he made his debut in opera, the youngest bass ever to sing at historic Covent Garden. In an interview with Salient's representative, Mr. Natzke recounted some of the lesser known of his experiences - a story as strange and romantic as any Salient has heard.