NATION OF SONGSTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 8

NATION OF SONGSTERS.

WHY ITALY LEADS. A VERY DRY CLIMATE. POPULARITY OF GRAND OPERA. "There are many reasons why Italy produces such great singers," said Signor A. Folli, manager of the Gonsalez Grand Opera Company. "I think that the two main reasons are the climate and language. The climate is very dry, and consequently suitable for the throat, while the language is extremely musical. All the vowels have a fixed sound that never varies. There are no double sounds, consequently the sound becomes a musical note. Then there is the great love for music, which is inborn in the Italian, and which the Government cultivates with the greatest care. Italy is the home of grand opera, which is an institution in my country. It does not matter how small a town is, it has its grand opera subsidised by the town council and the Government, each contributing pound for pound, the amount varying with the importance of the town. "The famous La Scala opera house of Milan, which is the temple of grand opera for the world, is subsidised not only by the Milan City Council and the Government, but by the Milan County Council as well. In addition, it receives the taxation levied on all the theatres in the district, and amounting to two per cent of the gross takings, including picture theatres. The amusement tax is general in Italy, and is expended wholly for musical purposes. Every cafe of importance in the country has a good orchestra, the Grand Italia of Milan for instance, has an orchestra of thirty-six, so that you will realise that the musical sentiment of the country is cultivated in every way. Every town of importance has a conservatorium where music is taught. These are entirely run bv Government money. The pupils pay a small fee, but there are yearly bursaries, entitling the winner to free tuition. The wealthy classes always subsidise and help singers, so that many children of poor parents have a chance to study and develop their talents. Many have become famous, such as Caruso, who studied at the conservatorium of Naples, and, being the son of poor parents, he never spent a penny for tuition. It is most satisfactory to note how many famous Italian singers who have become wealthy have afterwards helped the conservatoriums for the benefit of the younger generation. I might mention here that the famous composer Verdi left a very large portion of his wealth for the institution of a special home for destitute singers. This home is in one of the brightest spots of Milan, and there singers who have lived probably beyond their means, find a rest in their old" age. To a large extent Germany is carrying out the Italian idea. This applied also to Austria before the war, but the poverty of the country does not permit of the same generosity to-day. England has produced some great voices, mostly concert and oratorio singers. "There is a very big movement in Australia at the present time," said Signor Folli, "for the institution of a national opera house, and it remains to be seen whether this will be realised. Such a scheme cannot come to fruition without the Government help. As far as New Zealand is concerned, I came through this country twelve years ago, with the Gonsalez Grand Opera Company, and nine years later with the Sistine Choir, and I find on my present visit that the musical taste of the people has greatly developed, and it will be a great pity if the real love for music should be "left dormant. There is no doubt that grand opera is the most popular institution for the advancement of music, and help should come either from Government or from some theatrical firm who will have the courage to undertake such a vast venture as a yearly opera season such as Sir Benjamin Fuller has undertaken. New Zealand has already produced several singers of note, particularly Rosina Buckman, but there must surelv be man? others who would become as famous as her if they had the opportunitv to develop the natural talents with which they are gifted."