PROPOSED VISIT TO N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21805, 10 June 1936, Page 6

PROPOSED VISIT TO N.Z.

Nm STATE ORCHESTRA

ASSISTANCE! BEING SOUGHT FROM GOVERNMENT

The possibility of a visit to New Zealand of the New South Wales State Conservatorium Orchestra was discussed yesterday by Mr H. Gladstone Hill, who has just returned from a visit to Australia. The project would be impracticable, said Mr Hill, unless assistance were received from the New Zealand Government. He was at present endeavouring to obtain that help from the Government. “I have studied orchestral and musical conditions in Sydney very closely to watch the reaction of the public to the very fine orchestras in that city,” said Mr Hill. "The conservatorium, Australian Broadcasting Commission, symphony, and various excellent, but comparatively small, picture orchestras, all have their respective following, and, I believe, an increasing audience. “But the fact remains that radio has made such inroads into concert work that a tour such as is contemplated needs the most careful consideration. I received the greatest courtesy and consideration from the Department of Education and the director of the conservatorium (Dr. Edgar L. Bainton), all of whom expressed a wish for the orchestra to visit New Zealand as a friendly gesture. The Government of New South Wales was not prepared to assist the project with financial support, however. “This means,” continued Mr Hill, “New Zealand would have to finance the whole tour and stand any loss that may arise. In the Verbrugghen tour of 1920 £IO,OOO was secured in guarantees against loss, otherwise it would have meant floating a limited liability company to undertake the tour. “In the present case it is extremely doubtful if the tour would pay, and to have to call for a guarantee would mean a most unnecessary risk. “I am trying to secure financial support from the Government, and if this is not possible the idea may have to be abandoned. The whole matter will be decided during the present week.”

A MAORI OPERA

SUGGESTION OF ’‘MR H. GLADSTONE HILL

The great publicity value to New Zealand which would arise from inviting Alfred Hill, the well-known Australian composer, to visit New Zealand and collect in a place like Rotorua material for a Maori opera, was remarked on by Mr H. Gladstone Hill yesterday after returning from a visit to Australia. f “I know the capabilities of the Maori both for acting and singing,” said Mr Hill, “and I say without hesitation that when Alfred Hill had finished the training and production of such a Maori opera it would be a riot in every civilised country in the world. As for an advertisement —well, one does not want much imagination to realise how New Zealand would be placed on the map.” Mr Hill also said that he had been very impressed by the young New Zealand singers that were at present training at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music. During his visit he had had the opportunity of hearing several promising voices. In commenting on the band music which he had heard while in Australia, Mr Hill said that he had been very much impressed with the calibre of the National Military Band belonging to the Broadcasting Commission.