GRAND OPERA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 46, 18 November 1919, Page 3

GRAND OPERA

IMPORTANT MUSICAL EVENT TREAT F.OR NEW ZEALAND When Madame Melba organised hor Inst grand opera company for J. G. Williamson, Ltd., some six years ago, she engaged thu services as producer of Mr. ■Frank l!igo, and ,he it was who produced r with such sign.nl success tho lino 'range of operas in which .Melba-, • John M'Gormack, Eo-sina Uuekman, Edmund Bonrke, Zeni, Eleanora do Cisncros, Madame IJanzenbiu's, 11. Kauffmann and others appeared in Sydney and Melbourne. . Arriving back in Melbourne early this year, Mr. Higo -thought be saw an opening for grand opera, and with the aid of somi , members cf the Gonzalw Company and local talent, ho initiated a series of performances which were interesting, if not of the .highest standard.. Gradually its Tanks of principals were strengthened, and when later ho wished do transfer the scauo of his operations to Sydney lie induced .T. C. Williamson, Ltd., to tako the whole company over. Before opening, however, the "Firm" engaged the services of Miss Amy C'n.stlw . and other , 'principals, strengthened tho chorus and ■ orchestra, and lent the weight of its producing 'talent to the. company until it was i" every regard a well-equipped . grand opera, company, and a season of three months in Sydney found that there was an eager public i'or grand opera. • This encouragement has engendered tho ideaof establishing <v permanent grand opera . company, just as. there is a. permanent .ltoyai Comic Opera Company. Mr. George Mnthieson, who is heralding the npprSlieh of the new organisation, says Hint it has ■been calculated that with seasons in Sydney, Melbourne:. Adelaide, and Brisbane, and threo-months in New Zealand,, there should b& no 'insuperable difficulties in Maintaining a grand opera company all tho year round. "On thistour, which will commence jn 'Auckland on January 22," said Mr. Mathieson. "the intention .is to play three weeks in each centre, mid in order to bo position.to- do- thai, ■we are bringing" over eleven grand opera bills, an orchestra, of 10 performers, under M. Gustavo Slapofl'ski (who was hero with the Mnsgrove Grand Opera Company), n- chorus ef fifty picked voices, and three complete changes of cost, The operas, to be produced will be "La Tosea" (Puccini). 'The Tales of Hoffmann" (Offenbach), 'Utonico and Juliet" (GJo-unod). all new lo New Zealand, and ."Digoletto," "II- Trovatore," "Faust. , '.'.."Lucia, di. Liunmermoor," "I\ l'aslineci," "Cavnlleira Tinstieana," "Madame; Butterfly," "La Boheme" and "Carmen." That is not so bad for a start, is it? Of course, it means a lot. of work, and very heavy expense, but we think it will be fully justified. I anticipate that there will be 125 people travelling- with the company, one of tho largest shows that has ever visited the country. "Among the principals to come to New Zealand will be Mis-; Amy Castles (lately from America, and who is to Tcturn there next year); Mr. Half from _- the Metropolitan.Opera-House. New -York; Walter Wheat)}-, Tinymond Loder. Carl , Formes. Alfredo Valonti. Eileen Castles, Gertrude Jnhi'fion, Shiella Wilson, Leah Myers, Fred Collier, Elsy Tremein. Vera Bedford. Victoria liois, Umbcrto Mosca, Nello BaronWni, Tsla Gaiuhlc, Thelma Carter, I'ntti Kussell,.. Gladys Torona and Frank Charlton (formerly of ■Wellington):" Pome of the hist-uient.ion-«l artists are Australian, nnd very find artists ,they, have-proved themselves to be. With such a company a. school for grand opera is. established.- and it is the intentio.i of the firm to give promising talent every opnortumtv of developing. That alone should bo a siiur to endeavour in the vocal sphere <in New Zealand. "Tho opnninir bill here, nnd in Auckland, will- be Offenbach's delightful opera "Tlio Tales of Hoffman," so popular in" ■England. America, and on the Continent, a snnrklimj work which scarcely conies under the heading of serious graiiii oncra,' yet demands the capacity of grand opsra nrtisfs to sins its brilliant-music. Tho well-known 'ftirearnllo' is bnlv-ow of fifty of.-gems .thatjlluiniiiato the. score. , '