21 DECEMBER 1951, Page 28

IN The New Opera Glass (Sylvan Press. 5s.) Mr. Robert

Elkin has made an entertaining little book, which Mr. Robert Turner has decorated, out of the ludicrous synopses of opera plots written in extraordinary "Foreigner's English " by Fr. Charley and published in Germany more than fifty years ago. He has only erred in including four unauthentic synopses from his own pen without indicating the change-of authorship, a proceeding which seriously affects the historical value of the collection.