OPERA BROADCASTS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1930, Page 5

OPERA BROADCASTS

ENGLISH DECISION,

[United Pleas Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

LONDON, November 20,

Air Snowden, who is a keen music lover, and is a Governor of the British Broadcasting Corporation, has expressed delight at the scheme to broadcast opera, stating that, in addition to Co vent Garden opera being presented throughout the country, it would give talented British artists a chance. England at last was coming into line with the; .Continental countries. : :;V.

Af. Theodore Chaliapin the- famous basso, oil arriving in London to-night, immediately telegraphed to Air Snowden as follows:—“The subsidy for opera is a stride towards the sun. I am profoundly moved.” In an interview, Af. Chaliapin said that this decision made him feel 20 years younger. ] 13NDON, November 20. Tn the House of Commons, Air P. Snowden (Chancellor of the Exchequer), in answer to a question, said the Government subject to Parliamentary sanction had decided to grant £SOO for the remainder of the present year, ahd £17,500 for five years, beginning on the first of January liext, towards the expense of the presentation of grand opera both at C'oveiit Garden and in the provinces. The money would be given as an addition to the income of the Broadcasting Corporation. Air Riley: “Do the conditions attached to the grant relate to the prices of seats?”

Air Snowden: “That idea is that there will be performances at Covent Garden and in the provinces at popular prices.” One of the objects, lie said, was the stimulation of British opera production.