ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25020, 31 October 1946, Page 3

ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY

POSSIBLE VISIT TO AUSTRALIA INQUIRIES BEING MADE IN LONDON (From Our Own Correspondent.) t /-v SYDNEY, October 9. J. C. Williamson’s are inquiring in London into the possibility of bringing to Australia next year an all-Italian grand opera company. The Australian Government would then be approached to grant landing permits.' The general manager of J. C. Williamson’s, Mr E. J. Tait, said that, with the exception of Anna Surani, soprano, who played in Sydney early in 1930, he did not know the proposed cast. The London director, Mr Neville Tait ? was still inquiring about the possibilities. Many problems would have to be solved, particularly transport restrictions. Mr E. J. Tait added that his company had as yet made no approach to any Italians to form a company. Williamson’s have plans for a new theatre in Sydney, capable of handling any presentation, but building difficulties had yet to be- overcome. If an Italian company came to Australia it would probably be headed by the director of La Scala, Milan, Umberto Berettoni. Likely artists would be the following:—sopranos: Adriana Perris, Anna Surani, Clara Freddiani; mezzosopranos: Fedora Barbieri, Maria Marcusci; , tenors: Den Monaco, Renzi; baritones: Tito Gobbio, Guiseppe Valdengo; basses: Nerona, Siepi; prima ballerine: Luciana Novaro, Wanna Busolini; prompter: Gaspari; administrator: Ciro Scafa. «If necessary, more would be included, making a cast of 24. Their repertoire would include Traviata, Rigoletto, Trovatore, Aida, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Carmen, Lohengrin, Barber of Seville. One suggestion is that Gigli may be asked to make the tour.

Miss Dorothy Helmrich, president of the New South Wales Council for the Encouragement of Music and Arts ACEMA) said that British stage, ballet and opera companies are awaiting eagerly a chance to come to Australia soon., She has just returned from a seven-months’ stay in England, where she was an official guest, of the British Council. Among companies which will visit Australia . when arrangements are completed are the Glyndbourne Opera, The Old Vic, and Barry Jackson’s players.

Miss Helmrich said that in London 67 theatres were playing full-time when she left there. The British Council, which entertained her, received a grant of £2,250,000 a year. Another body, the Arts Council, formerly the original CEMA, received £300,000 a year from the Government.