GONSALEZ ITALIAN GRAND OPERA SEASON

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2940, 28 November 1916, Page 7

GONSALEZ ITALIAN GRAND OPERA SEASON

Under the direction of Ben. J. and John Fuller, Ltd., an interesting and maried; prc/gralmmo ia announced for the first five nights of the Gonsalez Italian Grand Opera Company, which opens at tho Grand. Opera House on Tuesday night next. The opening -.rill be marked by a gala performance of "11 Trovatorc," in which some of the principal members of the company will bo seen. On Wednesday "II Trovatore" will again be staged, and on Thursday the ever-popular "La Traviata" will be tho attraction, with an entirely different cast of artiste On Friday, patrons willsco a double bill, for "Cavalleria Kusticana" and "I Pagliacci" will be presented. Saturday night is reserved for "Lucia do Lammermoor." Signor Gonsalez, tho impressario, states that tho company is bringing with it a full equipment of wardrobe, scenery, ancl general effects for the production 1 of 14 operas, which are' to be staged during the season of three weeks. Mr. Ben. J. Fuller has fixed his scale of prices of admission within the reach of all, and explains at tlicso prices it is necessary for the theatre to bo full at every performance for the enterprise' to be financially successful; but ho prefers that the theatre should bo full at the prices he has announced than tivo-thirds full at : higher rates. The success which attended the Gonsalez season in Melbourne was recently duplicated in Sydney, whero the record achieved in the Victorian capital was beaten in the matter of performances, over 100 being given. A featuro of the Sydney and Melbourne season was tho enormous first night list, hundreds of patrons attending regularly throughout the season. 'I'hero was little lo choose .in popularity between tho operas produced, but thoso that proved themselves a little ahead of the others hnvo been selected for this season. Tho opening_ production is to be "11 TTovatore," which will introduce Signori Cappclli and Scamuzzi, and Signorino Russ and de Hcvers. Of Signor Cappclli as Australian critics are unanimously laudatory, classing this artist in a class with the famous Caruso. Jt is patent that thus early an absorbing public interest is being evinced in tho appearance of the company here. Tho box flans for tho first fivo nights will bo <?pened at tho Bristol on Friday.