A "CURTAILED OPERA"

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 32, 7 February 1935, Page 21

A "CURTAILED OPERA"

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l was interested to read a letter on your' Wireless page last week from a correspondent signing himself "Disappointed," wherein the Broadcasting Board is taken to task for presenting on its programme at 2YA last Sunday six scenes from Debussy's opera "Pelleas and Melisande." In the "Evening Post" radio column of the previous day, these scenes were set out in more or less detailed fashion, in strict accord with the wonderful recordings that listeners heard. It seems a. pity that a "critic" should rush into print with condemnation, when the Broadcasting Board really merits praise for its enterprise in affording New Zealanders an opportunity of hearing a work that is extremely unlikely to be included in the repertoire of any touring opera company. Frankly, I, as an enthusiastic musiclover, am happy with the half-loaf. This'is surely, preferable to no bread at all. If "Disapppin^ed" knew his opera, he"'would have 'noticed' that there was no curtailment of the work as advertised, and the recorded version of the six r scenes was given in its entirety. I suggest that "Disappointed1' obtain | the-loan of some issues of the "R^dio' Times"' (London), from' which he will | learn that it is an'accepted rule of I the 8.8.p. tp broadcast single acts of many grand operasT'wherefn' the "continuity" is''certainly disturbed," often at "a critical stage." On Sunday evening the presentation that was heard was an authentic version, in miniature, and the only one recorded of a beautiful work, and I am sure that "Disappointed" will agree that the musical authorities' of the Opera Comique, Paris, have no need to learn their business from anyone in New Zealand.—l am. etc.,

DELIGHTED.