Auckland May Have Annual Grand Opera

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 455, 10 September 1928, Page 13

Auckland May Have Annual Grand Opera

“IF PUBLIC WANTS IT” fuller-gonsalez plans “I am firmly convinced that New Zealand and Australia are ripe for an annual season of grand opera, providing the people can get it at a reasonable price,” stated Signor Foh, manager of the Fuller-Gon-salez Grand Opera Company, on his arrival at Auckland this morning. The result of the present tour, however, will show whether it is possible, he said. Signor Foli informed the Sun representative that since June 18, when tho company opened at Invercargill, they had had splendid houses. At Invercargill they were faced with ter-’ rible weather conditions, but nevertheless the “house full” sign was in constant use during their live days’ stay there. At Christchurch and Wellington the public showed their appreciation of good opera at cheap prices, and with a good season at Auckland a successtul tour should result. Signor Foli was last in New Zealand with the Sistine Choir soloists, and since then lie has noticed a distinct advance in the musical appreciation of the people. He noticed this not only by the patronage accorded to the more popular operas such as “II Trovatore” and “Rigoletto,” but also by the large attendances at the lesser known works such as “Mignon,” etc. “It was very apparent by the applause given at these operas that the public knew the music,” he said.

Auckland music lovers will be pleased to learn that it is the intention of Signor Foli to stage “Lohengrin” at Auckland providing a suitable oboe player could be obtained. For the exquisite music of Wagner's ■tidy Grail motif this instrument is necessary, and lie understood that it was possible to obtain a suitable oboe player in Auckland. This opera would be staged at the end of the season. A TRY-OUT The idea underlying the present tour, said Signor Foli, was to find out whether an annual season at popular prices was possible. That the provision of opera at popular prices was the best way of developing an appreciation of good music, he was firmly convinced. Sir Benjamin Fuller was quit© enthusiastic about the scheme, and was prepared to lay out the necessary capital providing he got some assurance from the public that they wanted it. On the results of the present season tho future of the scheme largely depended, said Signor Foli, although it was significant that Signor Rudolph Gonsalez had returned to Italy for the purpose of looking for artists who would be suitable for other tours. “But it rests with the people,” said Signor Foli. If they want opera they will get it.”