Main roles in opera east

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33671, 22 October 1974, Page 12

Main roles in opera east

Two singers have been released by the Australian Opera to take leading roles in the production of “The Marriage of Figaro” at the Christchurch Arts Festival next March.

They are Grant Dickson, a New Zealander already well known to Christchurch audiences for his appearances as soloist with the leading choirs, and Ronald Maconaghie. Mr Maconaghie will have the lead role, as Figaro, and Mr Dickson will sing Bartolo. Other leading roles will be filled by singers from Wellington, Otago, and Christchurch. The Wellington singers are Emily Mair, as Susanna, and Barbara Green, as Cherubino. Dorothy Hitch, of Christchurch, will sing the part of Marcelina, and Rosemary Gordon, of Otago, the Countess. Barry Mora, a New Zealander now studying in Australia, will return to sing the role of the Count. The opera will have the noted New Zealand-born conductor, John Matheson, as musical director. Graham Hollobon is chorus master, and Clifford

Yeatman, a veteran of ■ Christchurch Operatic ; Society productions, will be production manager. The costumes will come from the New Zealand Ballet and Opera Trust’s stock — they were designed by Raymond Boyce for the trust’s 1972 production of “Figaro.” Understudies for the singers in the leading roles will Ibe sought in open auditions jin the Civic Theatre next I week, on Tuesday, Wednesjday, and Thursday. Several minor roles will also be [filled from auditions — I those of Antonio, the gardener, Don Brazilio, the I music master, Don Curzio, the lawyer, and the chorus jof retainers, for which 16 men and women are required.