SIR T. BEECHAM’S APPEAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3853, 17 January 1928, Page 7

SIR T. BEECHAM’S APPEAL.

OPERA SCHEME IN PERIL.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, November 30.

Sir Thomas Beecham announced, during a concert at Manchester on Saturday, that if his opera scheme was not successful the British National Opera Company would_ be wound up in the spring. "If this scheme does not go through,” he said, “ there will be no opera of any consequence in this country.” During a concert at the Albert Hall on Sunday, Sir Thomas addressed the audience on his scheme for half an hour.

I think I am entitled to speak,” he pleaded, “because for 12 vears a relativj of mine and myself subsidised opera in this country almost alone. I have produced 119 operas here—and 72 of them were new to this country. Now we can no longer put up the money, and I am trying to get you to do it. Support this scheme and I promise you infinitely better opera than you get at Covent Garden. “ Let us recall home our wandering English minstrels who are famous .n foreign lands. Mr Piccaver, the darling of Vienna, is actuallv Mr Peckover, of Lincolnshire. Edouard Giovanni is really Edward Johnstone, Englishman. Meria Sandra, singing here to-day, is English These people want to come home, but you cannot expect them to give up their honoured and lucrative positions abroad to come to London for a month nr a year. Under my scheme they will get jobs for five years.” “ PRICE OF A BUN.” But at least 60.000 of London’s 6,000,000 must offer to let me have 2d a week for five vears. Twopence a week! ” exclaimed Sir Thomas, “ the cost of a railway bun ! ” Before conducting part of a symphony bv Mr Strickland and Constable, Sir Thomas pointed out that it was being played in England for the first time. “ But.” he added, drily. “it was performed in Munich last March.” ROYAL DONATION.

The Prince of Wales has sent £1 tn the Imperial League of Opera. Thin represents a two years’ subscription in advance.