GRAND OPERA.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 803, 28 April 1910, Page 11

GRAND OPERA.

THE MELBA-WILLIAMSON I SCHEME. MR. J. C. "WILLIAMSON INTER- ' VIEWED; . A cablegram of a day or two ago announced that Mr. J. C. Williamson was about to leave Sydney for London to arrango matters in connection with the grand opera company to be organised for Australia by Madame Molba. Speaking of his plans to a Sydney "Telegraph" representative on Friday last, the manager said his business would take him to Berlin, Vienna, and probably to St. Petersburg. Ho was also going to Italy, as one of the big ventures on hand was the completion of arrangements for a' grand opera season nest year. This he. discusscd with Madame Melba before she returned to Europe, and she throw, herself enthusiastically into tho enterprise, which was to' give Australia opera.in the way it was presented at Covent Gardens or the Metropolitan Opeia House, New York.' A great company which would include tho' best artists available would be'engaged, and it would bo headed by Melba herself. '

"Madame Melba is deeply interested scheme," said Mr. Williamson. "After the .business arrangements are completed . I am sure her whole .heart will I>e in it, and she is already using her powerful influence on the Continent and in London to induce great singers, to mako the Australian tour. Mr. John Lemmone, who was her righthand. man here, during her. recent concerts, is at present in Europe in connection with the scheme.- As soon as I arrive!.will have a long chat with Madamo Melba, when you - will hear fuller: news. At pi'esent it, looks as 1 if there is little doubt about the venture being carried out to the fullest extent. "It has been one of the dearest wishes '.of Madame Melba's life to appear, .in grand opera in Australia, and now that she has got .my , firm interested' in it it- looks as if her wishes will be'realised: :, ■■> ■

. "One tiling that has given lis great encouragement: to go in for so big a speculation, is the success of. 'Madam Butterfly.'' This lias shown, that the Sydney people arc true lovers of music, anil tho fact of one opera running four sev Cl- pertormances a. week, is .quite -unprecedented in Australia, and, .ab'' far as I ; know, in any; other' English-speaking country. Naturally wo are gratified. .'The strong', .interest tho public has- manifested in: the visit of .Mile. Bel Sorel and Miss Amy Castles naturally spurs us to greater efforts in fh© future.. It is the intention of my firm not'.to; make the opora next, year a mere musical event, but to mako it mark an epoch in tho annals of Australia. I might also add that Mr. Marshall Hall, of Melbourne, has been consulted by us'in tho general musical scheme. He is. deeply interested in it, and:has promised to use- his influence towards its success. Tho date ,wo have decided .upon 'is the latter end ; of next year. It will take fully.l2-months to .complete the preparations!". , Questioned as to 'dramatic ventures, Mr. Williamson said that-ho had- ; received- a letter, from Sir Charles Wynd- , ham ■ regretting his; inability to inimediatelv; carry out: his Australian . tour.-lia-s contracted to visit America'and come on' to Aiistriilia. No sooner „had,..he,-,begun . to fulfil his Ariiericaii "dates "than Miss M. Moore was,'taken very'.ill. Tho result was tho cancellation* 5i0f,l the'-American season, and the Australian tour fell through as;a further, consequence. - Miss Moore waAiOrdered J,topßgypt'-.to-, recuperate., She, is' "Sir Charles,", said Mr. Williamson; "asked me to postpone the tour ,to' 4ustral.ia.. I am going to see him When.-, I','am. in London in the hope of .his being able to come here later on.. - -. # - ."Sir J Beerbohin Tree? The negotiations aro still on,, the date of his coming being. determined by his success in leasing' His Majesty's Theatre for the period to be occupied by a tour, of Australia."! hopes- after an interview with hint,-to be able' to announce something definite."- ■ -

Mr.' Williamson will bo accompanied b.v ;Mr. ~Harold; Ashtori, who recently .returned'"frdm America from, a - quest for. attractions for Australia 'on behalf of tlio same management. -