GRAND OPERA SEASON.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19357, 9 July 1928, Page 7

GRAND OPERA SEASON.

PLANS OPEN TO-DAY. GALA PERFORMANCE NEXT SATURDAY. Next Saturday the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Opera Company will open its Christchurch season in .the New Opera House with a gala performance of Verdi's "II Trovatore." Throughout its Australian and New Zealand tour the Gonsalez Company haß opened each of its various seasons with a gala performance of this melodious opera, and in every case the performance has been a memorable one. ,ln Sydney this most distinguished audience ever present at a theatrical entertainment in the Commonwealth was present to witness the opening performance of. the Gonsalez company and scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm were , witnessed. Among those present were the Governor-General and' Lady de Chair,- the Chief Justice for the Commonwealth, the Prime Minister of New South Wales, and a vast audience representative of every class in the community. The keen interest which has already been manifested in the Christchurch season of the company makes it certain that the gala night nest Saturday will be something longto be remembered by theatre-goers. Judging from present indications, there will be little opportunity of obtaining a seat unless a reservation has been secured beforehand, and those who wish to make certain of seats for Saturday's performance should make a point of booking at The Bristol without any delay. The performances of "II Trovatore" in Invercargill and Dunedin met with a wonderful reception from the crowded audiences which witnessed them. - Commenting on the Invetcargill performance, the "ftews". states; The reception which greeted the performance could not' have been excelled in enthusiasm. It was .truly a brilliant performance 1 from the - rising of the first curtain to the dramatic' triumph of the final soene. When, at the conclusion, Mr John Fuller thanked the audience for their wonderful support, the prolonged applause showed that they considered such a return only a, proper measure of recognition for an achievement of teal merit and value." The Dunedin critics were equally enthuxiastio regarding the performance in Dunedin, expressing the opinion that nothing of such a superlative nature had hitherto been seen in the Southern capital. In spite of the quality of the performances being given by the company in its Dominion tour, only popular prices are being charged for admission, and reserved seats will be only eight shillings. Altogether ten operas will be presented in Christchurch, the dates being as follow:—Saturday, July 14th, "Trovatore"; Monday, July 16th, "Traviata"; Tuesday, July I7th, "Faust ; Wednesday, July 18th, "Lucia"; Thursday, July 19th, "Norma"; Frid.iy, July 20th, "Rigoletto"; Saturday, July 21st, "Trovatore" (matinee); Saturday, July 21st, "Mignon" (night); Monday, July 23rd, "Carmen"; Tuesday, July 24th, "Un Ballo in Maschera"; Wednesday, July 25th, "Faust"; Thursday, July 26th, "Barber of 8eville"; Friday, July 27th, "Lucia"; Saturday, July ,28th, "Rigoletto" (matinee), "Carmen" (night). Planß for the first seven nights of the season open to-day at The Bristol, and early booking is recommended.