Oamaru Operatic Society.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 9791, 17 March 1908, Page 4

Oamaru Operatic Society.

There was not a very gratifying response to the advertisement calling a meeting of those interested, in the inaugurating of an operatic society. Mr Hurry, as convener, said that there could be no doubt that such an organisation was much needed. For some years past there had been no opportunity locally of putting on opera, but now the ne\v theatre offered every facility for the purpose. Therefore he had called the meeting to see if it was not possible lo form a society that could take in hand light works. He had made some inquiries of .Mr Hugo Gorlitz. of Timaru,, a gentleman of more than colonial experience in such matters, and from him "had received particulars of two works that might he put in band. One of these wa-> -'Kiminie." which Mr Oorlitz bad advised contained too heavy ,1 libretto, and the other was "Les Cloches de Cornevillc." which was an opera more, or less familiar to all, but very suitable for an amateur production. The expenses incidental to the staging of "Les Cloches cie Comeville,"' according to Mr Gorlitz would be, approximately, £34 4s. Tins, Mr Burry said, would' bo conceded to be a very cheap production indeed, for he bad known the same opera to cost £l2O to put on. Mr Burry was voted to the chair. Mr M'Lea.n moved that a society be formed, to be called the Oamaru Amateur Operatic Society.—Seconded by -Mr M'lnues and carried. ()tricers were elected as follows :—Patron, Hon. G. Jones; President, Dr Douglas; Vice-Presidents, Drs Whitton, Garland, M'Adam. and Messrs Piper, Potter. Buckley.' and K. F. Armstrong. Conductor. Mr F. C. Burry; Stage Manager. Mr James Mitchell ; Committee. Messrs D'ivys. C. Armstrong, Frew, Murdoch, and. Lucas, with the conductor, stage manager, leader of orchestra, and were tary. The Committee were asked lo draw up the necessary rules for the government of the society, to appoint a secretary, and to select a suitable opera. The Committee is to meet again on Monday night next to decide on what Monday the opera is to be first put into rehearsal. A vote- of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.