OPERA SEASON CLOSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071, 8 October 1928, Page 11

OPERA SEASON CLOSES.

MEMORABLE LAST NIGHT. RETURNING IN DECEMBER. FUTURE PLANS OF FIRM. There could have been no more fitting conclusion to a memorable season of grand opera than the magnificent presentation of "U" Ballo in Maschcra" by the Fuller-Gonsalez company at the St. James' Theatre on Saturday evening. It was a gala night just as much as was the opening night of the season four weeks ago. There were few vacant seats. Many of the audience were doubtless hearing the opera for at least a second time, but still they revelled in the singing of the most notable cast to appear in any opera during the season. Silvestri and Flor were both brilliant, and Pfrirnnier, who took the place of Algozzino in the role of Ulrica, the Negress astrologer, gave an admirable performance both in her singing and her acting. All three were literally weighed down with bouquets when the final curtain fell. Scamusrzi was at his very best, a great singer and a superb artist. Rota gave a performance of his»customary brilliance and reached hoights of artistry in the final death scene. But it is hardly fair to single out any separate piece of work by any of tho principals. Helped 110 doubt by the atmosphere of cordiality, they seemed to excel themselves. Chorus and orchestra, too, added to the success of the performance, and Maestro Giovanni Gonsalez achieved combined choral and orchestral effects of rare brilliance in the finale to the first act, and again in the tragic scene which brings the opera to a close. Tho season officially closed, there followed (he usual speech-making. The impressario of the company, Signor Giuseppe Gonsalez, speaking through Signor A. Fo 11 ij thanked Auckland none the less cordially ior the reception given to his company. Sir Benjamin Fuller said he was supremely grateful for the wonderful response of the Auckland public. His brother, Mr John Fuller, had asked him to arrange a return season later in the year, and although it was now decided there would be an annual season of grand opera under the Fuller management, he was endeavouring to make arrangements for a week's season at the St. James' in December. During this season it was hoped to be able to stage "Cavalleria Rusticana," "I Pagliacci" and "La Boheme." I think that T, with you, owe a debt of thanks to every member of the company," Sir Benjamin added. "We shall nil follow their future careers with interest. Ihe majority of them are young folk, and for myself I hope it will not be long before some of them are appearing regularly at La Scala or the Metropolitan Opera House, New York." Sir Benjamin then introduced one by one the principals of the final opera and persuaded them to say a few words.