GRAND OPERA

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 144, 15 December 1927, Page 14

GRAND OPERA

FULLERS' COMPANY ANNOUNCED

An Italian grand opera company, to open an Australian tour in March next, either at the St. James 1 Theatre, in Sydney, or the Princess Theatre, in Melbourne, has been formed under tho management of Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller. The majority of the principal artists have already been engaged; and Signor Eudolfo Gonsalez, the organiser, who arrived here recently from Italy, has completed negotiations with the Pullers, and will return by.;the Comorin to assemble the members of the company. The company will consist of-25 principals, 40 chorus and ballet, 15 musicians, two solo dancers, and others. Australians will be given their chance, as the company will be augmented by 20 local girl singers and 25 musicians. The full orchestra will consist of at least 40, and will cost about £500 a week.

The negotiations have been proceeding for nearly two years. Sir Benjamin Fuller stated. "This opera season will represent the most important theatrical | enterprise we have/undertaken," he added, "but we recognise that there is undoubtedly a public demand for grand opera." . ■ ■ • ..-..■■ ... The names announced of the principals engaged, aro:— Sopranos.—Olga Poletti, Marguerite Flor, Eosita Silvestri, and Matild Pfrimer. ■ • . . Mezzo-sopranos:—Nina Algozzino and Adelina Mazza. Tenors.—Brandisio "Vannucci, Alessandro Rota, Arturo Tamburmi, and Antonio Gilardi. Baritones.—Franco Izal,. .Francesco Federici, Amelio'Kdele. Basses. —Antonio Alfieri and Amilcare Bioni. The conductors will be Giovanni and' Ernesto Gonsalez. Signorina Poletti made her operatic I debut in Milan, at the Teatro Lirico, lin 1910, as Gilda, with.Bonci as the Duke and Badini as Eigoletto. Signor Folli, representative in Sydney of Signor Gonsalez, states that this young soprano is regarded as one of the leading exponents of Traviata in Italy today. Miss Flor, an artist of Dutch origin, who studied in Milan, has sung principal roles lately at the Costanzi in Koine, the San Carlo in Naples, and the Massimo in Palermo^ and in June last appeared in. the title role of "Turandot'' in the Trieste production of that opera. Signorina Silvestri is a dramatic soprano, who completed her studies at the Conservatorium of Pesaro under the direction of Mascagni. Signorina Algozzino, who hails from Palermo, has sung prominently for the past five years in the Italian opera houses, where, Siguor Folli states, she has made a pronounced impression by her interpretation of Carmen.

Signor-Vanueci, one of the leading tenors, has been three years on the stage, and has already acquired a namo, not only in Italy, but in Austria and Rumania. Signor Bota is a versatile artist, who recently completed an operatic tour in 1 France, Spain, and Germany. Signor Tamburini, also a young singer, ha£ won favour in Italy by his impersonations of Don Jose and Manrico. Signo Franco Izal was born in Buenos Aires, but studied in Milan.'

Tho repertory of the new company, will comprise "II Trovatore," "Traviata, 1' "Bigoletto," "Ernani," "Un Ballo in Maschera," "Aida," Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," "La Boheme," "Madame Bntterfly,"- "Tosca," s "Lucia di. Lammermoor," "Favorita," "Andrea Chenier," "Fedora," "Fra DiayolOi'':,"Lohengrin," ■MMignon," "CafinenjV "Norrnat;" "Faust," "The Barber of Seville." "Cavalleria Busticana," "Pagliacci," "Lakme," and possibly two or three other operas, still to be chosen.