OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21399, 25 January 1933, Page 9

OBITUARY

SIGNOR ANTONIO FOLLI GRAND OPERA MANAGER (Received January 24, 9.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 24 The death has occurred of Signor Antonio Folli, aged 47. He was manager and interpreter for the Grand Opera Com-' pany which recently returned to Australia from New Zealand.

Signor Folli was well known in mugical circles in New Zealand, having piloted three grand opera companies to the Dominion in the capacity of business manager. Altogether he made four visits to New Zealand. The first occasion was in 1916 with the Gonsalez Company; he later toured the Dominion with the Sistine Choir soloists; in 1928 he managed the business affairs of the Fuller-Gonsalez Company; and his last visit was with the Williamson Grand Opera Company last year, when he acted as co-director with Mr. Claude Kingston. An Italian by birth, Signor Folli was an accomplished linguist and a great part of his life was spent in Englishspeakirtg countries. He possessed a .profound knowledge of music and his long association with the Gonsalez interests in Italy and the traditions of La Scala Theatre in Milan ensured that the productions of Italian opera in New Zealand and Australia had the correct finishing touch. He had an engaging personality and made many friends in the Dominion. At the conclusion of the last opera season in Auckland, Signor Folli made his homo in Sydney, instead of returning to Italy. He had, in recent months, been acting as agent in Australia for certain operatic interests in Italy.

MR. MICHAEL COSTELLO (Received January 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jnn. 23 The death is announced of Mr. Michael Costello, London manager of the Bank of Australasia.