ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 76, 23 December 1919, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

» — ; — J. C. WILLIAMSON'S GRAND OPERA COMPANY. Music, lovers of Wellington arc looking forward with jjrcat pleasure to tlie visit of the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera Company. Tins company, which has iust completed record seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, is due to leave Sydney' bv tho Manuka to-morrow, arriving hero on Sunday, in good time for tho opening on Monday evening. An important feature iii the organisation is that an opnortunitv has been afforded to many vouiik Australian artists, who are appearing in conjunction with artists secured in Bncland and America. Of tho Australian vocalists, Miss Gertrude Johnson has had an extensive experience of siwinff, both on the stage and the concert platform. Her first appearance m oublic was at the age of six. Eleven veara later she was recommended to continue her studios in Pans, and Madame Melba cave her a personal l«t« to M. Ponsot. assistant-to Madame Marches,, fn 1913 Miss Johnson won a scholarship at tho Melbourne University Conservatorium This is her third season in opera. Miss Ftrella Wilson studied singing tor four years at the Albert Conscrvatonum, Melbourne, where Madame Melba took a .'rent interest in her. It is interesting hi note that. Madame Melba once remarked that if Miss Wilson lost her voice she could still become a successful actress. MM Patti Russell studied singing at tlio Sydney Consorvaforium. Her first appearance wa< in "Bluebeard," at the ago nf seven. . Miss. Russell, sang will tho . Verbnißßhw quartet, the Royal and Nejyn«tlc Philharmoiiic Societies, and tlio Sydney Choral Society. She is an experienced concert singer. . Miss \era Hertford is said tr,. be a rich-toned ad dceti mezzo, and a fine actress. All these, •mine artists are said , t»-have untold u",res. ' In add-tion. there is said to be a fine orchestra, a chorus of beautnl massed tonal quality and .youthful fresh™f Under such conditions he success nf'this melodic venture is not likely to ho in doubt. Box plans for !>e first week are now on view at tho Bristol.