GREENROOM GOSSIP

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1598, 9 December 1920, Page 36

GREENROOM GOSSIP

N.S.W. STATE CONSERVATORIUM ORCHESTRA.

The visit of the N.S.W. State Conservatorium Orchestra to New Zealand last year was the outstanding feature of a season remarkable for the number of important musical attractions that visited the country at that time. The Verbrugghen Orchestra, as this wonderful body of musicians is popularly styled, created a tremendous impression. Everywhere enormous audiences gathered to hear the masterpieces of orchestral music played by this talented organisation conducted by Mr. Henri Verbrugghen, the “wizard of conductors.” It is therefore gratifying to learn that the N.S.W. Government has decided that the State Orchestra is to again visit New Zealand. Last year the Orchestra/s tour was guaranteed against financial loss by prominent citizens of New Zealand, and the expenses, although enormous, were more than covered by the receipts. Feeling sure that the patronage of music lovers will again be generously extended to the Orchestra’s tour throughout New Zealand, Mr. Verbrugghen has refrained from asking for a similar guarantee this time, trusting to the energy of everybody in the Dominion who has a genuine regard for the advancement of the art to support in every possible manner the Orchestra’s concerts, and arouse interest in their tour. Mr. Verbrugghen’s plans for the Orchestra for the year included the New Zealand tour, and visits to Victoria and South Australia, in order that the Dominion and Australian States outside New South Wales might share in the delights of the Orchestra’s playing.' This compelled two or three members of the Orchestra to resign, as they and the director agreed after consultation they could not be spared from their professorial work in connection with the Conservatorium. Mr. Verbrugghen has fortunately been able to fill these vacanies to advantage. Miss Jenny Cullen, the brilliant violinist,’ is now leader, and the musical critics state that the Orchestra’s playing is now at a higher level than ever it has attained. The Melbourne “Age” says that “it is a body that would arouse enthusiasm in London, Paris or. Berlin.”