Sir T. BeechanTs Plan for National Opera

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 239, 29 December 1927, Page 14

Sir T. BeechanTs Plan for National Opera

ORGANISER “SATISFIED” 2,000 LETTERS A DAY “If this scheme is not successful,” sa,id Sir Thomas Beecham shortly after the opening of his opera campaign, “you can put the body of English music back into the coffin from which I am trying to extract it for another 500 years.” Sir Thomas states that so far lie is more than satisfied with the results of his appeal. One. mail brought 2,000 letters, 75 per cent, of which contained cheques, including one donation of £I,OOO. In Manchester the demand exceeded the supply of application forms. “The importance of my scheme,” said Sir Thomas, “is that it is a beginning of what should within two or three years give a wonderful moral impetus to British music. “Not since the time of Handel have we had permanent orchestras, opera, and concerts in this country. Scheme after scheme has- been tried and failed during the past 50 years. Now it’s my turn.” PLAN CRITICISED Sir Hamilton Harty, conductor of the Halle Orchestra, Manchester, is critical of Sir Thomas Beecham’s Imperial League of Opera, although he cordially supports it. “The scheme provides for six months* opera in London and a three weeks’ season in provincial towns,” he says. “Provincial people will be paying for a small amount of opera in their own town and for others to hear a great deal in London. How can 20,000 opera lovers in Manchester hear their favourite operas in a short season?” Sir Thomas Beecham explained that the length of the opera season in each city would depend on the amount of support received from that city. “At the moment people of all classes in life are sending me subscriptions—so much so that we can honestly call ourselves the ‘Tom, Lick and Harry’ Opera League.”

One of the Moscow People’s Courts heard the divorce suit brought by Feodor Chaliapin against his wife, Lola Tarnagi. The People’s Judge, Mme. Shorin, read the famous singer’s application for a divorce and his offer to pay his wife £6O a month until her death. Counsel for Mme. Chaliapin stated that she did not object to the granting of the divorce, nor to the conditions offered. In view of the mutual agreement of the parties the court formally granted a decree of divorce. Chaliapin’s daughter Irene was among those in the part of the court reserved for the public.