OPERA ENTHUSIASM

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31786, 17 September 1968, Page 1

OPERA ENTHUSIASM

A new enthusiasm for opera in New Zealand was forecast by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr H. P. Smith) in Christchurch yesterday. At a reception for the principals of the New Zealand Opera Company’s production of “Il Seraglio", Cr Smith said there was a much better appreciation of opera in the country today, coupled with a more mature approach to the arts generally.

Cr Smith said it was a great pity that local bodies did not have enough revenue left to sponsor artistic activities in their communities. “One of the tragedies is that local bodies are always scraping hard to meet the necessities and so have little if anything left over to devote to cultural activities,” he said. Mr R. Standish, of New Zealand Breweries, Ltd, wished the seven members of the cast a successful season in Christchurch.

He said that any help his company had given to opera in New Zealand in the past had been more than rewarded by its successful development in recent years. Mr Inta Te Wiata said he was thrilled to be back and taking part in New Zealand theatre and spoke of the way in which the operatic world in New Zealand had given new heart to many promising young people, and particularly young Maoris who

were now getting a real taste for theatre. The fact that commercial’ and industrial interests were now prepared to back artistic developments financially was good news for those who had gone overseas, and who always liked to come back, he said. With Mr Te Wiata were Elisabeth Hellawell, Emily Mair, George Metcalfe, Grant Dickson and Silvio Famularo, as well as the producer, Mr John Thompson. The singers and other invited guests were welcomed to the reception by Mr J. Collins, a director of the New Zealand Opera Company.

In the photograph, Mr Te Wiata, the keeper of the harem in “H Seraglio,” embraces two co-stars, Emily Mair (left) and Elisabeth Hellawell (right) at the reception.