TWO GRAND OPERA COMPANIES

Evening Star, Issue 19782, 4 February 1928, Page 16

TWO GRAND OPERA COMPANIES

Perhaps there will be a little pricecutting when New Zealand, after a fast of several years, not by any means self-imposed, is given its next banquet of grand opera (says the Auckland ‘Herald’). This'year, which points toward being one of singular activity in the theatre, will see two grand opera companies under the management of J. C, 'Williamson and the Fullers visiting Australia simultaneously. Both seasons will open in Melbourne in March The Fullers have already announced the charges for their season. For the grand gala opening performance the most expensive seats will cost 12s (id, for other first nights aiid holidays, 10s. and for ordinary nights, Bs. The pos sessors of a string of large theatres, the Fuller management is evidently working on the excellent old policy of small profits and quick reborns. They have assembled a strong company under the direction of the Gonsalez brothers, a well-known family of entrepreneurs, and it contains many singers with youth on their side and assured futures before them. A visit of the company io the dominion is practically assured at the close of the Australian season. There is no definite news that the J. C. Williamson Company will visit New Zealand, but we have the assurance of Dame; Nellie Melba, who has gone into partnership with Williamsons lor the t.ovr. that she will do her best for the dominion. Melba takes the view that a season ,of grand opera oin do much more to foster musical appreciation in a young country than can several tours by concert celebrities. She, too, wishes to sing in opera here, as her own company, which visited Australia a lew years ago, did not extend its tour to New Zealand. If the two companies do" visit the dominion, New Zealanders are assured of a rare feast of the best in music. The combined repertoires include practically all the famous operas being played at present. Perhaps the outstanding event will be. the production by the Williamson company of Puccini’s posthumous opera, ‘ Turandot.’ it was eagerly awaited and enthusiastically greeted both at Covent Garden and at La Scala, and the production by the touring company is to be on a scale commensurable with that ruling in the art centres of the world. Francesco Merli, who appeared in the opera at both La Scala and Covent Garden, will bo heard in the Australian production. Ho has the leading ten dr role. Avangi Lombardi, the noted dramatic soprano, will make her first Australian appearance in the title role. Although they may not appear m ‘Turandot,’ two artists who will probably be the most popular in the J. C. Williamson company are Toti Dal Monte, who has already won musical Auckland from the concert platform, and John Brownlee, the Australian baritone. *