GRAND OPERA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22258, 10 May 1934, Page 10

GRAND OPERA

COMPANY TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND HOPES OF ANNUAL TOUR. (Peb United Press Association,) WELLINGTON, May 9. Grand opera sung in English, to be played at least once a year in every important city of New Zealand and Australia, is the ambition of Sir Benjamin Fuller, who is organising a company of the first rank to open in Melbourne in conjunction with the centenary celebrations.

Sir Benjamin, who arrived ,by the Wanganclla to-day, said that he was definitely of the opinion that, if grand opera was to find favour with the Eng-lish-speaking public, it would have to be sung in English. People liked to understand the words of the songs. He had complete faith in his venture and hoped to make the opbra company a permanent organisation and visit every important city in Australia and New Zealand once a year. Ho anticipated that tire company would arrive in New Zealand in February. AMBITIOUS PLANS NOTED SINGERS ENGAGED. f Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, May 9. In an interview. Sir Benjamin Fuller gave some interesting details of the preliminary organisation and his general ideas on grand opera presentation. He said he had been associated with grand opera as far back as 50 years ago, when he appeared at Covent Garden as an offstage angel in Berlioz’s “ Mephistopheles, ’ and ever since then he had maintained a lively interest in it. It was proposed, Sir Benjamin said, that the new grand opera company would present the Carl Rosa repertoire which had met with such enormous success in England during the past 60 years. The cast would be entirely British, and he had already engaged Walter Widdop and Norman Allin, two of England’s finest operatic singers. He hopes to idealise the art of grand opera so that people would be able to understand it and love it. The latest methods in stage presentation would be followed, with particular regard to lighting, and he hoped to have especially fine scenery. Although just at present he could not mention any names, he was in negotiation with some of the finest conductors in England. No effort was being spared to secure a company of really first rank.

He had complete faith in bis venture — so much so that he was calling it the “ Benjamin Fuller Royal Grand Opera Company.” For many years it had been his desire to launch upon such an _ ambitious scheme, but, owing to opposition from his executive, he had not been able previously to do it. There had since been a change of control, and now he was able to proceed with his project. In answer to a question whether grand opera might receive State aid in Australia, as it did in a number of European countries,_ Sir Benjamin said that lie did not think that subsidies would ever be granted there. As to his present venture, he certainly anticipated at least making enough to keep it going for five years. In fact, he had secured the performing rights for Ricordi’s operas for that period. It was hoped, however, that it would be a permanent institution. .‘‘3