A MUSICAL FESTIVAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 53, 26 November 1920, Page 9

A MUSICAL FESTIVAL

FOR THE FOUR CENTRES

.ft VOCAL QUARTET TO COME FROM ENGLAND . What will interest all music-lovers in the Dominion is the news that it is intended to hold a big musical festival in *.ich of the four centres, commencing: in .September; 1922. The year mnrks tliw jubilee of the Dunedin Choral Society, nnd the idea'of celebrating the event came from the southern city, whence so many of New Zealand's best'singers have sprung. Whilst the arrangements are yet in a mora or less nebulous stage, certain decisions -have been arrived at by negotiation between the Choral Society, of Auckland, the Bovnl Musical Union, of Christchurch, the Choral Society, . of Dunedin, and the Chornl Union, of Wellington. These M 0:.(1) That a. choral festival be held in each of the. f our- centres, commencing in Dunedin in September. 1922: (2) that six concerts be given iii Dunedin, Oliristehurch, and Auckland, and eight in Wellitirton; (3) that a vocal quartet fronrEngland be engaged for the performances.

Tne reason that Wellington is to have eight instead of six concerts is Ihnt hal]q of. torpor capacity. than the Wellington Towji Hall are. available.'ln the other centres.

To forward the matter a conference of; delegates nf the. four societies Is to be, held in Ellington before the end of the year, when further details will lie.settled. It is expected, in view of these, festivals, "that "the societies concerned will do their best to augment. Hi* pv,.--k-r-<, f f H, P j r choir members, as choirs of from 500 to COO voices should bo assembled for. festival rmrposes. "The- programmes'will probably consist of. so. many oratorios ,or enntafns, so many operas, and miscellaneous conwhich will add a fine" variety to thei festival.. The eight concerts in Wellington will probably extend over n fortnight. Soloists, other than (hose from England, will hnve to bo employed, and it will be for the executive later on to say who they will bei