OPERATIC SOCIETY

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19890, 20 May 1936, Page 6

OPERATIC SOCIETY

REVIVED IN HAMILTON. “A RUNAWAY GIRL” SUGGESTED. MUCH ENTHUSIASM SHOW*. The great revival of interest in th§ , Hamilton Operatic Society was again manifested last night, when the committee that was recently appointed to J interview prominent townspeople and . former members of the society, with , a view to its resuscitation, presented its report. Mr A. E. Sandford, presii dent, occupied the chair, and there was a representative attendance. Mr Sandford said that members 0f 1 the committee had found widespread 1 interest in the society and a sincere ; desire that it should resume operations ! and regain the proud position it formi erly held. Offers of assistance had been forthcoming from all quarters, 1 and he believed that, despite the ) financial handicap, the society could » function successfully if all differences are dropped and the members work L enthusiastically. When the townspeople saw that the society was eager ’ to wipe off its debt he was sure that - support from them would be forth- • coming, and from then 'the 80ci«*“ need never look back. 1 Meeting the Popular Taste. I Mr H. D. Caro said that In choosing ■ a piece for production it would be - necessary to consider the public point . of view, and give it something of tile “popular” type, a musical comedy that t would be bright, entertaining, and , with familiar melodies. If the society • decided to carry on he was sure it > would receive support. The town . needed an operatic society. Mr H. Piper agreed that a popular selection was necessary—something containing melodies which “the man in the street” could whistle. Messrs J. Bateson and Leo Foster concurred in this view. Mr A. E. Manning spoke of the success of "The Belle of New York." “Katinka,” ‘‘Our Miss Gibbs,” "A Runaway Girl," etc., when produced by the Hamilton Society. The takings for the latter one night amounted to 1 f 3OO - There was no doubt that the ; townspeople would be behind the society when they saw members recapturing the old enthusiasm. The chairman moved that the Hamilton Operatic Society make every effort to stage an opera this season, and that the committee recommend to the annual meeting of members, to be held the week following the Winter Show, that ‘‘A Runaway Girl" be the piece presented. Mr R. Powell seconded the motion, which was carried with much enthusiasm. Mr E. G. Amoore was requested to get in touch with J. c. Wiliamson. Ltd., regarding royalties, etc. Return of Old Member*. It was decided that every effort be made to get back into the society those members who had done yeoman service in the past. It was hoped, too, that present members would rally round, and that new talent in the town would be brought in. The financial position was discussed vep’ thoroughly, and the general opinion was that this could be overcome, as in the past, if sufficient enthusiasm was forthcoming. Several recommendations regarding producer, conductor, committee, etc were drawn up for submission to the annual meeting of members, and a very successful meeting closed with the optimistic feeling that the Hamilton Operatic Society has obtained a new lease of life, and will soon h e functioning again. “ 06