OPERA FAREWELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 479, 8 October 1928, Page 15

OPERA FAREWELL

RETURN VISIT IN DECEMBER MEMORABLE LAST NIGHT A return visit of the FullerGonsalez Grand Opera Company, with “I Pagliacci,” “Cavaleria Rusticana,” “La Boheme” and other works, will be made in December. This announcement was made by Sir Benjamin Fuller at the conclusion of the Gonsalez Company’s season on Saturday evening, “Un Ballo in Maschero” was the opera presented and its popularity with Auckland patrons of the opera was evidenced by the large attendance. A strong cast is utilised in this opera, and with many of the principal artists appearing, it was indeed a very appropriate farewell. A noteworthy performance was given, both principals arid chorus rising to the occasion and giving of their very best. Signorinas Silvestri. Flor and Pfrimmer, and Signors Rota. Scamuzzi, Fumagalli and Alfieri were all in excellent voice, and the result of their work was the best performance seen to date. At the conclusion of the opera, Signor Giuseppe Gonsalez. speaking through Signor Folli, thanked Auckland for the warm reception accorded the company. In announcing the return of the company in December, Sir Benjamin said that both he and his brother were highly gratified at the support extended to the operas by .he public of New Zealand, and Auckland in particular. Ho considered that they had discovered a really good company. The principals were all young and all showed great promise. New Zealanders would watch their careers with interest and would look forward with pleasure to the time when they made their names famous at Milan and La Scala. The prinicpals were then prevailed upon to say a few words, each thanking the audience on behalf of the company for the warm appreciation with which their performances had been received during the Auckland season. Signorinas Silvestri, Flor and Pfrimmer were weighted down with masses of flowers handed up before the final curtain fell, and all principals were warmly applauded as they dame forward to give their speeches. It was a memorable occasion, and a fitting farewell to a highly successful season.