GRAND OPERA FOR AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17608, 10 November 1922, Page 15

GRAND OPERA FOR AUSTRALIA.

Mr Prank Bigo, stage manager for 'grand opera at Covenf Garden,- under' Sir Augustus Harris, and subsequently in the sam» important capacity in Australia wfth. the Melba Opera Company a decade ago, and with' ether seasons under'JVC. Williamson, Ltd., is now launching on, art movement entitled "Grand Opera in Australia" (says the Sydney Morning Herald"). , I'liere is to ber raised a. capital of £25,000, and shareholders will have a priority in •booking seats, and a reduction of 15 per cent. on booking prices. XhUB by booking lor ten operas in a season the shareholder will receive back the value bt ius unacs, together with a-sum from any dividends that may accrue. The attendance at Miss Lute. Jjiummond's recent itctuiea on works hitiierto unheard in Australia is urged in iii.uatiai.ion ui a desire for new operas, and a readiness to hear again the popular pieces of the reperttory. .betters from Dame Nellie Melba. and Mr John Lemmone strongly recommending the project are issued with' the prospectus. At the same time Mr Frank Bigo quotes Leah Myers,. Gertrude .Johnson, Elsie Treweek, Fred. Collier, and Gladys Verona as operatic artists now doing well in Engiand who were introduced in the company he organised two yeara' ago. On these and other grounds, a letter signed by the entire professional staff of the New South Wales Conservatorium has-been issued urging the publio to support the scheme. Mr Bigo is managing the movement, with Messrs W. H. Paling and Co. as hie headquarters.