THE SOLDENE OPERA COMPANY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3357, 11 January 1879, Page 3

THE SOLDENE OPERA COMPANY

Mr Chizzola lias been writing io the theatrical papers in London, in explanation of his abandonment of the Soldene troupe in Melbourne. He says that while for eighteen months he scrupulously fulfilled the term of his engagement with them, one by one of the troupe, when they found fhat it could not be enforced in the Colonies, having been executed in America, left him, till only Mm principals remained. He denies that any of the troupe were loft destitute in Melbourne, and adds, "If T had been the heartless and dishonest person you have called me, I should have taken advantage of tlii.*, and broken up the company, as it was impossible for myself or any other manager to continue paying them such extravagant salaries, as my receipts in the Colonies were not in accordance with my expenses ; but having too much feeling, and knowing that these people -went to Australia in order to *aye money, [ contrived to continue the season, much to my loss, for four months beyond the contracted time, the company being quite aware that they would have to pay their passages Home. . . . My

losses during this long season were £3000, and I did not I'ecl justified in taking on myself the responsibility of £1200 more to bring the entire company back to London." The papers that had made statement* reflecting on Mr Chi zzola, appointed an accountant to examine the accounts, «fee, submitted by him, and from them it was learned that his receipts in America were £3337 ; expenditure, £3410 ; iv Australia, New Zealand, receipts, £19,448 ; expenditure, £22,142. The travelling expenses of the entire troupe amounted to £8000, or an average of a £112 a week. These were some of the weekly salaries paid : Miss Soldene, £50; Miss Sara (dancer), £30; Miss Stella, £18; Mi.-s Vesey, £L 2 ; Misses Slater and Durant. £7 ; Mr Marshall, £LS; Mr Wallace. £15 ; Mr Farley, £15 ; Mr Van Ghele, £15 ; Mr Campbell, £14; Mr Jarves, £10; Mr and Mrs Quinton, £12 ; Misses Lefevre, Dunii'l, Moxon, and Barber, £5 each ; Misses Mprivll, Ferraro, Brooke, and Rose, £4 each. The salary sheet averaged £300 a week during the tour.