GRAND OPERA CO.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 14

GRAND OPERA CO.

“NORMA” AND THE ANGELS Signor Folli, the Gonsalez representative and manager travelling with the Grand Opera Company, tells of a recent discussion on operatic music, at which Maestro Giovanni Gonsalez, the musical director and first conductor, was present. The question raised was as to the choicest aria from all the operas, ancient and modern, and the Italians present gave it unanimously to the great duet, “Hear Me, Norma." There is a tradition that Bellini when writing "Norma” was inspired by the angels, so closely was he in spiritual communion with them. Maestro Giovanni, who is himself an inspired musician and conductor, said that Bellini's opera was full of music written for the angels. The lovely “Casta Diva," which Norma sings to invoke peace between the Druids and the Roman invaders, is the aria which first made the great Patti famous, and it will be sung in Auckland by Rosita Silvestri, the young and beautiful dramatic soprano of the company, who is a stately Norma, Druidic High Priestess. She and Nina Algozino, the dramatic mezzo, . sing the famous “Hear Me, Norma” duet, and a finer duet will not be heard during the whole season. After hearing these inspired numbers, one can readily understand and appreciate the opinion of the Maestro as to their angelic qualities.