FULLER-GONSALEZ GRAND OPERA

Evening Star, Issue 19891, 13 June 1928, Page 5

FULLER-GONSALEZ GRAND OPERA

Thanks to the enterprise of Sir Bonjinnin and Mr John Fuller, whoso names as public entertainers arc known and honoured throughout New Zealand, the people ol this country arc to have the privilege of hearing rvhab is said to be the finest grand opera combination that has ever visited it; and Invercargill has been chosen to have the distinction ol hearing them first. Dunedin will next be visited. 'J he comtmnv, witli u toLul strength of uciirly IUO* persons, including directors, eighteen principals, lorty chorus and operatic ballet, and twenty-five in orchestra, together with wardrobe mistresses, mechanicians, and stage hands, will arrive at the Bluff by the Manuka, on Juno 17, and will the next evening open the New Zealand tour with the evcr-popnlar A erdi opera Ml 'lrovatorc.’ The Fullcr-Gonsalcz Company has eighteen principals, comprising four sopranos (prima donnas), two mezzosopranos or contraltos, four tenors, three baritones, and two bassos, besides three minor principal artists who can till a broach if need ho. All these are high-class vocalists and actors. The principals, with two exceptions, are Italians; and one coprano is a Dane and another a Russian. The chorus Was also brought from Italy, but was supplemented by tho best voices from the music conserve loriums of Brisbane and Svdnoy. The ballet is also Italian, but was similarly supplemented in Sydney. The orchestra will for the New Zealand season contain twenty-five musicians, fifteen of whom were picked in Italy, themselves artists who have played in the great opera houses of that conntrv. The whole is under the direction of Maestro G'ovanni Gonsalcz, who led the Gonsalcz Opera Company winch visited Australia and New Zealand in 1916, and who is remembered and loved by all who bad the pleasure of meeting him. Tho principals arm contrary to precedent, all young, with fresh voices ] yet nU hnvc bad some years of experience in the great opera houses of Europe and America, and some have international reputations as stars. They are Mlvostri (soprano'), IMr (soprano), and Rota (lyric tenor). Only one, tho baritone (Bcamuzzi), was with the last Gonsalcz Opera Company. Sir Henjamin and Mr John fuller are, in a real sense, profit-sharing with the New Zealand public by giving them such high-class opera at prices within tho reach of all and unheard of hitherto for grand opera. Another feature of the season wilt bo tho generous concession to schools.

Tho 'Dunedin season, opening on Saturday night, Juno 23, will extend for thirteen nights, with two matinees. ‘ Trovatore,’ ‘Faust,’ ‘Lucia,’ ‘ Rignlotto,’ and Carmen ’ will each get two performances; while ‘La Travinta,’ ‘Norma,’ ‘Mignon.’ ‘ Un Ballo in Maschera,’ and ‘The Barber of Seville ’ will each he presented once. ’I he booking plan opens on Monday, June. 18.