QUINLAN OPERA COMPANY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 2

QUINLAN OPERA COMPANY.

NINE NIGHTS IN AUCKLAND,

Tho blow has fallen! That is to say tho Quinlan Opera Company is not to appear in Wellington. For over a year past tho play-going publio of Now Zealand have been given tho assurance that at length they were to see tho real thing—a fully-equipped grand' opera company, imported from tho Old Country, complete with a full chorus, and orchestra that has stood tho tost in England. Tho company camo to Australia less than thrco months ago. and in Sydney and Melbourne presented a repertoire of grand opera that _ has eclipsed, both m number and variety, that of any previous company. Apart from the presentation cn a scale of considerable splendour of tho Puccini operas, Charpontier's "Louise," Verdi's "Aida," and Ssint-Saons' "Samson and Delilah," .tlio Australian centres have had tho interesting experionco of bearing for tho first time Wagner's weird and wonderful Nibehmgon Ring ("The Rhinegold," "Siegfried," "Tho Valkyries," and "Tho Dusk of tho Gods") in its completion, and many musical hearts have been mado glad. It ha 9 been anticipated that wo should see. a selection of tlioso great works, but that now appears to bo out of tho question. To enthusiasts who can _ spare the time and money there is brighter hope. Arrangements arc being mado at prosent for tho Quinlani Company to play a nine nights' season in Auckland, commencing on December 8, on its way through to Canada. It is understood that Sir. Quinlan might have considered a proposition to play a brief season in Wellington providing ho was guaraii-' teed £500 a night, and had 1 the new theatre bcon ready steps might have been taken to raise such a guarantee, but as tho present Opera House is restricted- as to si 7/5 tho risk would havo been considerable, owing to the price of admission that would: hay© to be charged to build up the receipts. Ae it i 3 thero aro bound' to bo somo who will mako tlio trip to Auckland to witness tho Quinlan productions, which will fit in with tho exhibition (to bo opened on December 1).