Administrator for ballet, opera

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32797, 23 December 1971, Page 2

Administrator for ballet, opera

tN.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 22. Mr G. H. Stringer, the former Director-General of Broadcasting, has been appointed administrator of opera, and ballet fn New Zealand by the Queen Elizabeth H Arts Council. Announcing the appointment today, the chairman of the council (Mr W. N. Sheat) said the powers of the Association of Opera and Ballet Trust: Boards, based in Wellington, had been vested in Mr Stringer until December 31, 1972, "or any earlier date agreed upon between the administrator and the council.” The administrator’s functions are to secure the assets of the trust for the future benefit of opera, ballet and

the performing, arts in general, and to provide an administrative base for reduced activity in both - art forms, called for by the Arts Council, during the 1972 "pause” year. “In carrying out these functions, Mr Stringer will be assisted by an advisory committee, comprising three persons nominated by the Arts Council, and three nominated by the trust,” said Mr Sheat They are Messrs P. Schwartz and T. W. Blennerhassett (both Wellington), D. Firth (Auckland), R. Campion and Mrs Beatrice Ashton (both Wellington) and Mr L. G. Piper (Auckland). Mr Sheat said the administrator’s term of office and that of the advisory Committee would expire not later than December 31, 1972, by which time a new administrative structure and new constitution of a future board would have been obtained.

“During the recent controversy over ballet and 'opera, some of our critics have tried to interpret .our decisions as burying ballet’and opera fori ever," Mr Sheet said. "Nothing could be further from the truth. Time and again the council has affirmed its support for ballet and opera as vital and necessary art forms in New Zealand. a What it has called for, however, is an exploration of the future shape and character of both art forms in New Zealand conditions,” Mr Sheat said. “The council believes its 12-month ‘pause’ period will help achieve this, as well as the expert and close attention that will undoubtedly be given the matter by both Mr Stringer and his advisory committee.” Mr Sheat said that a “committee of experts” which had been set up by the theatre arts sub-committee

■ of- the council, would con- , tinue’ its work in the new I set-up. Planning was already ; well, advanced on a ballet- . for-all programme which it ’ -was intended would be seen ■ ih, Auckland, at least initi- > ally, early next year. “The ensemble of eight i dancers has been selected i from the former ballet company and graduates of the national school,” he said. Plans for an opera work- . shop were under close study, . Mr Sheat said. “What is needed more than anything else at this poipt in time is co-operation. Too often the public has had to ' witness disharmony not only between but within, indi- , virtual art forms. “The Government in ’ essence the public of New Zealand—has given us increased resources. Let us get : on. with the job,” said Mr i Sheat,