THE MAESTRO

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 14

THE MAESTRO

Giovanni Gonsalez Waves a Magic Wand OPERA IMPRESSIONS The lights are lowered. The orchestra has ceased its preliminary scraping and sits awaiting the Maestro. Then enters with quick decisive step Signor Giovanni Gonsalez, director of the Fuller-Gon-salez Grand Opera Company. *

He raises his hand and the buzz and chatter give way to the breathless silence of keen anticipation. Then softly on the air steals the faint but exquisite strains of the “Traviata” Prelude to carry one away over the footlights to the mystical land of makebelieve. Perhaps there is ho prelude, the curtain rising instantly to the romantic and mysterious music of “Trovatore”—that complicated creation of Verdi’s with its martial clash and clat-

ter, the Miserere beloved by all organgrinders, and the swinging rhythm of the Anvil Chorus.

Or again, it is “Rigoletto”—Verdi in grim ironical mood. 'Tis a pretty jest they play on the poor clown Rigoletto. Unwittingly he arranges the betrayal of his daughter. Unwittingly he encompasses her death. The curse of the Count Monterone has fallen. And dominating it all is the small figure of Maestro Giovanni Gonsalez, conductor, prompter and the guiding spirit. Whether carressing delicate cadence from the muted strings, or. with heroic sweeps of his baton, pulling orchestra, principals and chorus up to a mighty climax, he is always tho heart of the opera. It flows from the end of his magic wand.