GRAND OPERA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23052, 1 June 1938, Page 17

GRAND OPERA

Sir, —The announcement of Sir Benjamin Fuller that an opera company Will tour New Zealand this year will be welcomed not only hv lovers of the music drama, but also by all interested in the development of a better general appreciation of good music. It is now about seven years sinco New Zealand was last able to enjoy grand opera in its proper setting. In recent years broadcasts of operatic recordings have helped to fill the gap for those who have appreciated actual performances, and probably have done something to keep alive the tradition of opera in New Zealand. On the other hand, the delightful attraction of the great works adequately rendered on the stage often leads to an appreciation of them otherwise undreamed of. With the existing trend in musical appreciation, the difficulties attending the successful presentation of opera in New Zealand have increased, but the period of the Centennial celebrations should be opportune for a good company to tour the Dominion. Grand opera was a feature of the Melbourne Centenary, and those concerned in our own preparations would be rendering a real service to music in New Zealand if they succeeded in inducing that a company be obtained for 1940. Such a project would be assisted by adequate support of this year's enterprise. Puccini.