GRAND OPERA SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 233, 1 October 1932, Page 11

GRAND OPERA SEASON.

The scenery and effects for "Madame Butterfly," which is to be the opening opera of the Imperial Grand Opera Company on Wednesday night, have already arrived, and the company will reach, here by the Maunganui on Tuesday morning. When the Puccini family selected Cesarina Valobra for the part of Madame Butterfly at the opening of the famous Puccini Theatre in Milan, the artist, it is said, more than fulfilled expectations. "Her beautiful artistry," wrote an Australian critic, "makes her performance of Cho-Cho-San the finest ever presented in Australia." Primo Montanari, a celebrated tenor from La Scala, -will play the role of Pinkerton, the music of which gives his fine voice every opportunity to distinguish itself. The character of Sharpies will bo taken by Ilio Del Chiaro (baritone), who also comes from Iα Scala. Michele JTiore, who is the possessor of a rich baritone voice, will take the roles of Prince Yaraadori and the Bonze. A feature of "Madame Butterfly" is the work of the chorus and orchestra. Only the one evening representation can be staged of "Madame Butterfly," and it will be followed in the order named by "Lucia," "II Trovatore." "Carmen." "Cavalleria Rusticana," "Rigoletto," "La Boheme," "The Barber of Seville," "Tosca," "Don Pasqualc," "Traviata" and "Talcs of Hoffman." The musical directors are Maestro Ernilio Rossi and Maestro Wando Aldovrandi, while, the . assistant conductor is Joseph Post.