GRAND OPERA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22613, 29 December 1936, Page 12

GRAND OPERA

POPULARITY IN BRITAIN COVENT GARDEN SEASONS The opinion that grand opera was to-day as popular as it had been in former years was expressed by Miss Strella Wilson, who arrived at Auckland yesterday by the Wanganella to play the leading soprano roles for the J. C. Williamson Comic Opera Company. There was a. glamour about the London opera that was not to be found elsewhere. Audiences made a tremendous difference to tho quality and spontaneity of the performance. One of Miss Wilson's greatest experiences was playing in tho original production of "Cavalcado" with C. .13. Cochrane and Noel Coward at the Old Drury Theatre, when on 0110 occasion the late King George, Queen Mary, tho Princo of Wales and tho Duke and Duchess of York wore in the Royal Box. The Covent Gardoi season was always greeted with great enthusiasm. Opening with tho Italian season, it was continued with the trench, German and finally tho English seasons. On almost every occasion tho German season was tho most popular and the most brilliant. Miss Wilson has played several times in grand opera, her last appearance being with the well-known Rosa Ponselle in the Italian 'season at Covent.Garden. Rosa Ponselle and Lottie Lelnnann were two of the most popular and most brilliant sopranos of the day, Miss Wilson said. The English, in fact, showed a very great enthusiasm for German singers and operas. Miss Wilson has played many musical roles in comic opera, musical comedy and pantomime in both England and tho United States, ller last appearance in a pantomime was with Fav Coinpton, the well-known screen and stage actress. Although sho has had experience in broadcasting, Miss Wilson said it was not to be compared with stago work. Audiences were essential to a rob and broadcasting lacked the glamour of footlights and of famous people in the audience anil tho fascination of grease paint.