N.S. WALES STATE ORCHESTRA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18468, 1 February 1922, Page 2

N.S. WALES STATE ORCHESTRA

A MUSICAL FESTIVAL. ‘ What promises to be the most, important event in Dunedin’s musical .history is the, festival to be give® In His Majesty’s" Theatre by the Now South Wales Oronestra, commencing on Thursday, February 9. Four concerts in all will be given, during which time a remarkably fine series, ot programmes will be played. Mr Verbrugghen has apparently taken care to appeal to all classes of music lovers, for he has drawn from both serf 0 ™ an d light music, and the famous Belgian conductor, who is probably one of the best ..programme framers of to-day, has set' out a very attractive' scheme. Since the orchestra’s visit to New Zealand two years ago, there have been some changes in the personnel of the orchestra; but the opinion of the Australian critics is that it is better now than at any time of its career. The orohes,tra has now visited every State in Australia, with the exception of Tasmania and West Australia, showing that its sphere of activity ia not only State, but- Federal. In spite of its splendid work and the steady growth under the careful guidance and untiring enthusiasm of Mr Verbrugghen; the orchestra was a few months ago in great danger of being disbanded. It was realised that the orchestra had become a musical necessity, and that its lose would, as’had been truly said, be a “national calamity.” Australia and New Zealand have become used to the best in music as represented by this greatfltorohestra, which, at the head of the music® activities of Australia, has’raised the standard of art appreciation almost beyond recognition. Retrogression was unthinkable. To prevent such a disaster; a ’ non-profit sharing association wae formed in Australia with the object of making the orchestra, to a‘ certain extent, independent of box office receipts. The - Citizen's Committee in charge of the fund appealed to music lovers not only to' attend Concerts themselves, but to endeavour to induce their friends to do so. The soloists’ to support the orchestra at its Dunedin season are Miss : Rosa Alba, the popular Australia soprano, Mr W. K. Crougey, a new baritone, who has been singing with the orchestra' with considerable success, and Miss Jenny Cullen, the talented violinist. The box plans for the four concerts will open'at the Bristol on Tuesday, February 7.