Arts And Music Ballet and Opera Trusts merge

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32486, 22 December 1970, Page 12

Arts And Music Ballet and Opera Trusts merge

Amalgamation of the New Zealand Ballet Trust and the New Zealand Opera Company has been approved by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, Cedric Mentiplay reports from Wellington. Announcing this yesterday, the chairman of the council (Mr W. N. Sheat) said the new body—the New Zealand Ballet and Opera Trust —would come into existence on February 1. A committee of management comprising members of

both boards had been formed to achieve amalgamation by the due date. The committee is: Mrs Phyllis Brusey (chairman), Mr J. L. Chapman, Mr R. A. Vance, Mr F. W. Petre, Mr E. Simner, and Mr D. G. Ball. Mr Sheat said the amalgamation, which would consolidate the resources of two of New Zealand’s art forms, had been achieved after considerable negotiation between the two boards.

“The council over the years has urged the establishment of a single body to administer the needs of opera and ballet and we welcome the decision

of the two boards to form e single unit,” he said.

Mr Sheat said he hoped an important element in the constitution of the new trust would be the opportunity for participation by the general public in the affairs of the new body.

“We want to obtain greater grass-roots interest in both art forms and ensure a twoway flow of enthusiasm and energy between the new trust and citizens throughout the country.” Although the board would initially comprise only members of both the former opera and ballet boards, the council hoped for wider representation of membership, other than Wellington based, at the earliest practicable date. Mr Sheat said that at a meeting of the council last week, agreement was reached on proposals put forward by a steering committee of both boards.

The council was confident that a single administrative unit could attract far greater national support than had previously been obtained by the two companies operating separately, he said.

A new era for ballet and opera in New Zealand would emerge as a result of the amalgamation, Mrs Brusey said yesterday. “A management committee has been set up comprising members of both boards to deal with many matters which have to be tidied up by February 1,” she said.

“I am confident that with the good will of both boards behind the committee, ballet and opera can emerge with new strength and vigour during 1971.” Mrs Brusey said both companies in the past had endeavoured to present ballet and opera in New Zealand with limited funds. “But now that we have joined forces I see no reason why greater support should not be forthcoming from all parts of the country, because ballet and opera, since both companies were formed, have attracted large and enthusiastic audiences.”