TOUR BY OPERA COMPANY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29245, 1 July 1960, Page 16

TOUR BY OPERA COMPANY

“La Traviata” For Canterbury An extensive tour of Canterbury and Westland will be made this month by the New Zealand Opera Company, which will present “La Traviata,” by Verdi, under the auspices of the Adult Education Department of the University of Canterbury. The opera which has been enthusiastically received throughout the North Island, has been produced by Roy Hope the new artistic director of the New Zealand Players. This is his first opera production. Set in Paris, the opera is based on the book and play "La Dame aux Camelias,” by the younger Dumas. The leading role of Violetta is taken by Angela Shaw. Miss Shaw has worked in New Zealand and Australia and has sung with the National Orchestra. At the end of this year she will leave the Dominion on a Government bursary to study overseas. Alternating with Miss Shaw in the role of Violetta is Hazel Miller, a well-known Auckland soloist who has taken a number of roles with the company. In the two roles of Flora and Annina is Dorothy Hitch, of Timaru, who has touted with the National Opera of Australia and the Elizabethan Trust Company. A newcomer to the New Zealand Opera Company is Paul Person, who plays the Doctor. Peter Baillie alternates in the roles of Gaston, or Alfred Germont, with two other members of the company, Jon Andrew and Robin Addison. Alternating in the role of Old Germont are Donald Munro, who studied at the Royal College of Music and in France, and Graeme Gorton, who has taken part in Invercargill operatic productions. Sets and costnmes for the opera have been designed by Raymond Boyce a product of the Slade School, who was brought to the Dominion as first designer to the New Zealand Players. Pianist for the tour is Russell Channel, a talented musician, who showed outstanding promise from the age of six and who gained his A.T.CL at the age of 16. After obtaining his L.R.S.M. he left New Zealand to study In London and Europe. The company’s Itinerary and the local sponsors are: July 7, Ashburton (Ashburton Community Centre); July 9, Waimate (Waimate Arts Council); July 11, Timaru (South Canterbury Area Council of Adult Education); July 12, Methven (Methven Arts Council); July 13, Temuka (Temuka Arts Council); July 14, Geraldine (Arts Council); July 16, Kaikoura (Arts Council); July 18, Hokitika (Arts Council); July 19, Greymouth (Arts Council); July 20, Westport (Arts Council); July 21, Reefton (Arts Council); July 22, Scargiß (C.WJ. and WDT.F.); July 25, Rangiora (North Canterbury Arts Council).