GRAND OPERA COMPANY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 10 (Supplement)

GRAND OPERA COMPANY

SEASON IN AUCKLAND NOTED MEMBERS OF CAST The definite announcement , that the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera Company will come to Now Zealand is one of the most important items of theatrical news received lor somo time. The company has enjoyed a remarkably successful tour of Australia, where it has had to play extended seasons at all the centres. Not only does the repertoire include many operas that have not been heard in New Zealand for well over a decade, but all the works are being produced on an unusually full scale. The Auckland season is scheduled to open on October 5 and to include 11 famous operas of the Italian school, comprising " II Trovatore," " La Traviata,"

" Rigoletto," " Un Ballo do Maschera," La Bohemc," " Madame Butterfly," " La Tosea," " Cavalleria Rusticana," " II Pagliacci," " Carmen," " Faust," " Lucia di Lamniermoor," "The Barber of Seville,"

and " Tales of Hoffman." The three most popular operas in Sydney have been " Aida," "Carmen," and "La Tosca." " Aida " was given for sixteen performances. Bruna Castagna, the mezzo contralto, has created an outstanding impression in " Carmen," seven performances of which were given. Cesarina Valobra, the lyric soprano in the Puccini operas, was chosen by Toscanini and the Puccini family to open the new Puccini Opera House in Milan. Linn Paliughi, the coloratura soprano, and Anna Surani, the dramatic soprano, have also established themselves prominently in the galaxy which radiates from La Scala. Of the Australian, Molly de Gunst, musical folk in Sydney are very enthusiastic.' By the Williamson management she is regarded as a rare '-' find." This young dramatic, almost lyric, soprano, Mr. Kingston explained, has a voice of pure quality and remarkable flexibility of range. She is gifted also with the mental equipment that has already enabled her to sing several operas in her first season. Of recent years Miss de Gunst has been living with Madame Christian at the Garcia School, at Pott's Point. Madame Christian, notable among Australian teachers of voice production, is now in her 83rd year.