N.S. WALES ORCHESTRA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17979, 3 January 1922, Page 6

N.S. WALES ORCHESTRA.

ARRIVAL FROM SYDNEY. The opinion that the Yerbrugghen Orchestra from the New South Wales Coni>ervatorium is even better on this visit than on the occasionjtif its tour two years ago was expressed by the conductor, Mr. Henri Yerbrugghen, who, with the mem hers of the combination, arrived fixmi Sydney by the Maheno last evening. The orchestra is substantially tho same in personnel as on its previous visit, but tho members have gained much valuable training eince then. The orchestra has been holding on ar, average fotir rehearsals a week. In add) ■ tion it 'nas been giving three concerts a ' week, or 150 a year. Mr. Yerbrugghen 1 said that ho had engaged some excellent ! players in place of a few who could not : leave Sydney for various reasons, and he had also secured musicians who had boon studying abroad and advanced pupils from the conservatorium. All the members of the orchestra had acquired a great amount of experience aud theoretical and technical training. In referring to the withdrawal of the State subsidy from the orchestra, Mr. Yerbrugghen said that the new Government of New South Wales had madu it clear that it would not continue the subsidy if a substantial loss was incurred. On' account of the maritime strike last year, however, the orchestra could not come to New Zealand, and as it was too late to make other bookings the 80 players were idle for two months, thus incurring a great loss, which, together with other events caused a serious deficit. A sdiemo wa6 finally adopted whereby a non-profit making company was formed in Sydney, with a capital of £30,000, tla first £10,000 to be called np immediately, and a similar amount each succeeding year. Another company was formed in Melbourne to secure £9000, and this to done. New South Wales had contributed £5000 to date. It was hoped that New Zealand would be anxious to do its share toward maintaining this osganisation by small individual subscriptions, which indicated a l-i *ge measure of public interest intends to introduce to New Zealand some choice orchestral selections. Miss Rosa Alba is taking the soprano solos at the orchestra s concerts, and Mr. W. M. Crougev, a baritone, has been specially eneaged for this tour. The first concert will be held in the Town HaJJ this evening.