National Opera launched

Press, 6 December 1979, Page 15

National Opera launched

PA Auckland The newly termed permanent organisation to administer professional opera in New Zealand hopes eventually to become financially independent. The Minister for the Arts (Mr Highet) said the company, which will be based at Auckland, will be known as the National Opera of New Zealand. The company was fortunate in the c.ipointment of its three directors, he said. They are the former chairman of the New Zea-

land Opera Company, Mr M. Leech; a Christchurch accountant, Mr A. W. Mann; and an Auckland businessman, Mr H. Mackley, who is the chairman of the new company. While promising Government support for the next few years, Mr Highet gave a word of warning on the financial pitfalls. “La Boheme” has been chosen as the first opera to tour the four main centres next year. Twentyfour performances will be given, starting with a season at the Auckland Festival in March. Mr Mackley is keen to broaden the audience appeal. “I would like to se» some jeans sitting between the suit-clad patrons.” The chairman of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council (Mr Hamish Keith), who v—s at the function, said home-grown performers now living overseas should come back and perform in New Zealand to return the investment. that the country had made in them. Other officers appointed to the new National Opera Company are the general manager, Mr C. Blake, who will deal with finance and administration, and Mr J. MacDonneil who will be responsible for the artistic direction of the company.