Opera companies

Date: Aug 1992 - Sep 1994 - 1954 - 1955

By: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010

Reference: OHColl-0362

Description: Sound recordings relating to Simpson's work as an author of musical topics and including research material for her book with Geoffrey Newson, `Alex Lindsay; the man and his orchestra' (Christchurch, 1998), her book `Opera in New Zealand' (1990) and her radio programme 'Bravo'. Some interviews are by Adrienne Simpson, others from Sound Archives. Interviews (some broadcast) with Raymond Boyce, Lynne Cantlon, Angela Gorton, Graham Gorton, Elizabeth Hellawell, John Hopkins, Constance Kirkaldie, John Malcolm, Geoff Newson, Corinne Otie, John Thompson, Ulric Williams; programme by William Southgate about Alex Lindsay; Alec Lindsay tribute by Owen Jensen; interviews from the Radio New Zealand sound archives with Donald Munro, Maurice Leech and Alan Highet. Interviewer(s) - Adrienne Simpson Arrangement: Original recordings: OHC-013152 - OHC-013167 Tape numbers - OHC-013152 - OHC-013167 Quantity: 16 audiocassette(s). 16. 2 interview(s). Transfers: Abstract Available - other there may be some transcripts in M&A as part of MS-Group-0301. The specific folders appear to be MS-Papers-6710-06 (NZ Opera Company) and MS-Papers-6710-19 (Alex Lindsay).

Date: [ca 1926-1976]

By: Wellington Operatic Society Inc

Reference: 77-113

Description: Comprises minutes and agendas, rule book, annual reports, membership files, production material, publicity material and newspaper clippings, financial records and correspondence Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 11 box(es). 5 volume(s). 3 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter

Date: 15 Nov 1993

From: Oral history interviews for the Archive of New Zealand Music

By: De Lautour, Geoffrey, 1922-2000; Wilson, Roger Douglas, 1946-

Reference: OHInt-0134-15

Description: Interview with Geoffrey de Lautour, born in Dunedin in 1922. No abstract available; interviewer's summary notes: Sides 1 and 2: Ancestry, birth and upbringing in Dunedin; education; Otago University. War service in Air Force, aerial photoraphy. Musical influences; competition and concert experiences; first engagements. Side 3: First performance continued; "Carmen" in Dunedin; Otago University again, John Matheson, Dr Galway. Dunedin competitions 1948. Side 4: To UK, study at Guildhall, conducting, various teachers. Performance of "Merrie England", Carl Rosa Opera Company. Side 5: Carl Rosa contd., Denis Dowling, "Maltese Joe". Marriage in London, odd jobs, film, TV etc. Side 6: Birth of daughter Karen; various concerts. Return to New Zealand; N.Z. Opera Company, "Marriage of Figaro" in Wellington and South Island tour; touring conditions; Donald Munro. Death of father. Side 7: "Figaro" tour. Dunedin - work in woolstore. "Barber of Serville" tour; shift to Wellington; manager of Catholic Supplies; musical odd-jobbing. Side 8: Tour of "Carmen" and "Barber of Serville". Side 9: N.Z. Opera Company contd. - "Aida"; disastrous imports; poor "Figaro"; Donald Munro leaves; demise of NZ Opera Company. Job at Hutt Valley Memorial Tech.; Wellington Competition Society. Side 10: Producer of Gilbert & Sullivan, Wellington Operatic Society. New Opera Company; formation of De La Tour Opera. Expansion to Regional Trust (early-mid-late 1970s). Side 11: Rise and fall of National Opera 1979-1981. Television opera; heart bypass operation. Wellington City Opera's foundation and development. Interviewer(s) - Roger Wilson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-020294 - OHC-020299 Quantity: 6 C60 cassette(s). 1 folder(s) - forms incl. summary. 1 interview(s). 6 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstract(s) to come. Search dates: 1922 - 1993

Date: 16 Dec 1994

From: Downstage Theatre Oral History Project

By: Kirkcaldie, Constance Violet Scott, 1917-2008

Reference: OHInt-0606-02

Description: Interviewer(s) - Colin McColl Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-0011123-011124; OHLC-006900-006903 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.28 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3882. Search dates: 1930 - 1994

Date: 1985-2001

By: Academy Opera

Reference: MS-Group-2318

Description: Comprises correspondence and other papers relating to the Academy Opera and Academy Opera Trust. Includes circulars to casts, applications and replies re sponsorship of productions, negotiations with professional singers, matters concerning venues and performances. Part of the Archive of New Zealand Music Source of title - Supplied by Library Formed in 1985 to provide concert performances of operatic works, the Academy has since moved from Wellington to Christchurch. Quantity: 18 folder(s). 0.18 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donation, Academy Opera, 2001

Date: Sept 1983 - 01 Sep 1983

From: Archive of New Zealand Music - Oral History interviews

By: Turnovsky, Frederick, 1916-1994

Reference: OHInt-0133/21

Description: Frederick Turnovsky describes city life in Czechoslovakia where his family were `normal middle-European' people and attending concerts was one of their activities. Describes the music scene in Prague from 1930-1938 and the community of Jewish artists. Notes that because of his political involvement he was targeted by the Gestapo and knew that he had to leave. Recalls going to London and deciding to come to New Zealand. Recalls his devastation on arriving in New Zealand and discovering there was no professional orchestra or opera company. Describes getting to know Spencer Digby, Greta Ostova, a Czech cellist, John Beaglehole, Dorothy Davies, Marie Vandewart and Erika Schorss in sessions playing chamber music. Recalls the decision to establish a chamber music society and perform concerts. Comments on how this was a huge success. Describes the visit of Lili Kraus to New Zealand. Briefly describes establishing his own business in leather manufacturing. Discusses setting up the Chamber Music Federation which was a national body. Mentions Vincent Aspey and Don Irwin. Discusses the Federations revival of the Australian based group Musica Viva and its performance throughout the Pacific. Recalls bringing out the Smetana Quartet and the Griller Quartet. Describes ending his involvement with the Chamber Music Federation in 1960 because of involvement with the Arts Council and the New Zealand Opera Company. Traces the growth of the Opera Company founded by Donald Munro. Describes New Zealand Breweries sponsorship. Recalls works performed and taking them to small towns. Comments on the popularity of this but it was uneconomic. Recalls the tour of Peggy & Bess with Inia te Wiata and how this led to a lot of Maori becoming involved on the stage. Comments on losing good singers to Australia. Discusses the decision to discontinue the concert orchestra when Broadcasting became a Corporation. Recalls the founding of New Zealand Players, New Zealand Ballet and the Opera Company; the formation of The Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and the beginnings of a more systemised method of funding arts. Discusses inadequate funding and how arts should be properly subsidised or not subsidised at all. Comments on his resignation from the Arts Council and how opera has been `cast to the wolves'. Suggests that opera should be performed and televisied nationally rather than taken on tour. Comments on the overall growth in the arts since the 1940s. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - John M Thomson Venue - Wadestown, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000944, OHC-000945, OHC-000946, OHC-000947 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 5.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - Brief abstract and information sheet available.

By: Lander, Loretta Elma, 1941-2021

Reference: PA-Group-00915

Description: Comprises photographic albums and loose photographic prints and transparencies relating to Loretta Lander and her involvement with Wellington City Opera Trust and the preceding company De La Tour Opera. Possibly also includes photographs relating to the New Zealand Opera Company. Taken between 1965 and 1991 by The Evening Post, Dominion Post and unidentified photographer(s). -Includes views of various opera productions in performance on stage, dress rehearsal, cast on tour, backstage scenes and social functions associated with the opera companies. -Includes Loretta Lander as an opera singer and in various other roles associated with the opera companies, the Orpheus Choir and students. Also includes photographs of principal opera singers such as Dame Malvina Major, Anthony Benfell, Donald McIntyre, Louise Malloy, June Bronhill, Heather Taylor, Margaret Medlyn, Frank Carter, John Robinson and Flora Edwards. Also includes photographs of conductor John Matheson. -Includes photograph of Opera Director Wolfgang Wagner, grandson of Richard Wagner with members of the 'Die Meistersinger' production 1990 in the International Festival of the Arts, Wellington. Source of title - title supplied by Library Quantity: 2 album(s) Album(s). 6 b&w original photographic print(s). 11 colour original photographic print(s) colour original photographic print(s). 3 colour original transparency/ies (35mm slides). 3 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Photograph albums, photographic prints, film transparencies Provenance: Donated by Loretta Lander, Wellington, 2014. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - Lander, Loretta Elma, 1941-: Papers, scores and recordings (MS-Group-2286).

Date: 1886-1888

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-019

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Holograph and printed matter (some photocopies)

Date: 11, 17, 18 May 1999 - 11 May 1999 - 18 May 1999

From: Oral history interviews for the Archive of New Zealand Music

By: Shaw, Angela Mary, 1934-; Gorton, Graeme Stuart, 1930-; Norman, Philip Thomas, 1953-

Reference: OHInt-0134-05

Description: Interview with Angela Gorton (Shaw), born in Blenheim in 1934, and Graeme Gorton, born in Invercargill in 1930. Angela outlines her family background and her early interest in singing. Talks about learning part singing in the choir of St Mary's Church, Blenheim, taking lessons after she left school at 14 and entering competitions. Mentions winning in competitions in Sydney. Talks about lessons with Sister Mary Leo, singing in La Boheme in Auckland in 1958, and other roles, mentors and singers. Describes roles with the New Zealand Opera Company under John Hopkins. Graeme talks about his early musical influences and entering singing competitions when he was 9. Refers to the family's struggle during the Depression and his schooling. Talks about continuing lessons and singing when he left school, mentioning lessons with Donald Munro, singing and recording with Gil Dech, and live broadcasting on 4YA. Refers to clerical jobs he had and the difficulty for young singers to make a living. Talks about meeting his wife Angela in the finals of the [1959] Mobil Song Quest. Discuss their first tour together, a national tour of La Traviata with the New Zealand Opera Company, mentioning over 100 performances, training local choruses, the men doing the setting up and packing out, and being billeted. Angela talks about training in London while Graeme continued to tour in New Zealand until he was able to go to England and work with the English Opera Group and the Glyndebourne Chorus. Comment on marrying in London in 1962 and returning to New Zealand for the birth of their son. Talk about the difficulties of making a living singing, and sponsorship for the Opera Company from New Zealand Breweries and Rothmans. Graeme refers to going to Adelaide at short notice to sing the War Requiem. Discuss a buoyant period in the Arts in New Zealand in the 1960s. Refer to the difficulties when they toured separately in different productions, their lack of [financial] certainty and the need to accept all roles offered. Comment on the process of preparation for roles. Mention returning to England in 1967, Graeme working with a teacher, but finding barriers to singing professionally. Refer to returning to New Zealand in 1972 at the time of the collapse of the New Zealand Opera Company and the redirection of government funding to regional opera. Talks about the establishment of the New Opera Company of Wellington, the establishment of the Wellington Regional Orchestra at the same time, and Graeme becoming administrator for both. Comment on the return of funding to a national opera company, and moving to Dunedin where Graeme was Southern Regional Manager for the Q.E.II Arts Council. Graeme refers to his decision to stop his singing career, and Angela mentions working part-time for the Hospital Board to help provide some financial security, while they both still took occasional singing jobs. Comment on the move of the Southern Regional Arts Council to Christchurch. Graeme talks about the growth of the job, providing support to community arts councils. Angela discusses the founding of Canterbury Opera, operas staged, the contribution of volunteers, and the difficulties in being on the board, administrator and a performer. Comments on the financial insecurity for opera companies in New Zealand. Mentions Opera in the Park and children's opera. Give their opinion of funding cuts and restructuring in 1995 which decimated the community arts councils. Graeme discusses his subsequent positions in arts administration in Christchurch including manager of the Theatre Royale and the amalgamation of two Christchurch choirs. Reflect on their first impressions of each other in preliminaries of the Mobil Song Quest, and their memorable and favourite roles in opera. Comment on their motivation to continue with singing despite repeated adversity, their commitment to keep opera alive, and the support now given to young singers. Mention poor government funding for the arts and the lack of tax incentives for sponsors. Interviewer(s) - Philip Norman Accompanying material - Summary of Angela and Graeme's careers, contributions to opera and the arts in New Zealand, and personal highlights (6 p.), with abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-020244 - OHC-020248 Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 4.51 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7108. Search dates: 1934 - 1930 - 1999

Date: 1867-1868

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-016

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed matter (mostly photocopies) and holograph

Date: 1983-1984

From: New Zealand Opera Trust : Records

Reference: MS-Papers-5096-16

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1880-1881

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-092

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed matter, typescript and holograph (some photocopies)

Date: [ca 1910]

Reference: PAColl-D-0608

Description: Large unidentified group of men and women, possibly members of a New Zealand theatre or opera company. Taken in early 1900s (dated from clothing) Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - Williams [next word indecipherable] Co Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: 405 x 575 mm mounted

Date: 1967-1968

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-035

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed matter (photocopies)

Date: 1955-1986

By: New Zealand Opera Company

Reference: MS-Group-0061

Description: Records of the New Zealand Opera Company include minute books, company papers, financial papers, correspondence, reports and subject files, company scrapbooks, production scrapbooks, newsclippings, photographs, sound and video recordings, ephemera and other printed matter. There are also materials relating to Phyllis Brusey and to the De La Tour Opera Company. Part of the Archive of New Zealand Music Quantity: 97 folder(s). 11 videocassette(s). 9 audiotape(s). 4 volume(s). 1 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs, mss, typescripts, printed matter, sound and video recordings Transfers: To Ephemera Collection - 3 posters transferred - To Photographic Archive - Photographs transferred PA Coll 989. Processing information: Child records need some enhancing

Date: 1985

From: New Zealand Opera Trust : Records

Reference: MS-Papers-5096-17

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1870-1994

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-100

Description: Quantity: 1 box(es). Physical Description: Printed matter, typescript and holograph (some photocopies)

Date: 1889

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-094

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed matter, typescript and holograph (some photocopies)

Date: 1871-1897 ; 1996-1997

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-022

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Holograph and printed matter (some photocopies)

Date: 1985

From: New Zealand Opera Trust : Records

Reference: MS-Papers-5096-19

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).