Programme 1988 – La Traviata

HAWKES BAY REGIONAL OPERA TRUST

PRESENTS:

LA TRAVIATA

BY GIUSEPPE VERDI

STARRING
Daryn Edmundson   Anthony Benfell O.B.E.
Roger Wilson
Director:   Richard Campion
Musical Director:  Bruce Greenfield

HASTINGS MUNICIPAL THEATRE
JULY 30, AUGUST 2, 4, 6, 1988

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM HASTINGS BUILDING SOCIETY HASTINGS AND OLDERSHAW & CO. NAPIER FROM JULY 18 1988 OR BY WRITING TO P.O. BOX 1015 NAPIER BEFORE JULY 15 1988

Major Sponsors Hastings Building Society

ABOUT THE HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL OPERA TRUST

No doubt you are already aware of the Trust and its primary aim of staging Grand Opera in Hawke’s Bay.

We are proud to present our first season of Opera with Verdi’s ‘LaTraviata’. This inaugural production brings together some of New Zealand’s great soloists and a production team rivalled by none.

Surely a true ‘Celebration of the Arts’ in keeping with the spectacular restoration of the Hastings Municipal Theatre to its former glory.

‘La Traviata’ is recognised as one of the world’s finest Operas. We hope you will join us for what is already seen as a worthy cultural advancement for the Hawke’s Bay Region and New Zealand Grand Opera.

The Trust welcomes membership, donations, patronage and sponsorship. Special privileges and benefits attached to each. Please contact the Secretary, Box 1015, Napier.

Trustees: Guy Wellwood (chairman), Neil Edmundson, Naomi Baker, Leith Morgan, Margaret Wellwood, John Matthews, Terry Coxon, James Baker, Cedric Wright, Helen Date, Peter Bohm.

Seasonal Patron: Sir Richard Harrison.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

DARYN EDMUNDSON – Violetta

A resident of Hawke’s Bay, Daryn is a music graduate of Canterbury University. In 1986 she won the Evening Post Aria competition and was placed first equal in the Waikato Times Aria.

She has sung Violetta in “La Traviata” before with the Wellington City Opera in 1987 and her other major roles have included “Patience” and the “Bartered Bride” here in Hawke’s Bay. Currently studying with Emily Mair in Wellington Daryn is an oratorio soloist and has sung in numerous recitals and concerts. Already this year she has understudied Malvina Major in the production of “II Seraglio” at the International Festival of Arts in Wellington, and will be understudying the lead role in “Lucia Di Lammermoor” for the Wellington City Opera, in October.

ANTHONY BENFELL OBE – Alfredo Germont

Awarded an OBE in the last New Years Honours for services to music.

Tenor Anthony Benfell performs in concerts, operas and for television both in New Zealand and in Australia. He appeared recently as the Duke in Rigoletto with the Victorian State Opera. He has performed with the Canberra Opera in “Martha”, with the Queensland Opera in “Martha” and “Lucia Di Lammermoor”, and with the National Opera Company of New Zealand in “The Marriage of Figaro” and “La Boheme”. He has sung at the Sydney Opera House in Verdi’s “Requiem”. He played Don Jose’ in “Carmen” at the Mercury Theatre in 1985, and Alfredo in “La Traviata” last year.

He appears in TVNZ in shows such as “Louise and Friends” and “My Kind of Music”. He has several successful LP records released in New Zealand.

ROGER WILSON – Georges Germont

Baritone Roger Wilson has featured in numerous operas and most of the Wellington City Opera productions to date including “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”. Having studied and sung professionally in Germany, France and Switzerland, he returned to New Zealand in 1975. Roger has a specialised interest in lieder and frequently gives recitals, and records for Radio New Zealand. He regularly performs in oratorio in Wellington and throughout the country and appears with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra from time to time.

RICHARD CAMPION – Director

Richard Campion was born in Wellington and educated at Victoria University and Wellington Teachers College. He was at the Old Vic Theatre School in London where he first went to opera at Covent Garden. Back in New Zealand, he was directing plays for the New Zealand Players when he was asked to direct the first three-act opera for the New Zealand Opera Company “The Consul” by Menotti. Next came “Die Fledermaus” by Offenbach and that was followed later by “Carmen” in which he directed Kiri Te Kanawa. In 1987 Richard directed the Wellington City Opera production of “La Traviata”.

BRUCE GREENFIELD – Musical Director

Bruce Greenfield is currently Course Director of the Wellington Polytechnic Executant Music Course. A Leading New Zealand Accompanist, he has performed extensively for the Music Federation, toured New Zealand, China and Australia and as a National Recording Artist for Radio New Zealand has broadcast as both soloist and accompanist. He was Musical Director of the Royal N.Z. Ballet Company, Downstage and Circa Theatres and TVNZ. He was Founder Director of the New Opera Quartet and Quintet and Chief Repetiteur for the New Zealand Opera Company, and Chorus Master for Wellington City Opera. He is much in demand as a Teacher and Adjudicator at National Competitions.

LEIGH JONES – Choreographer

LA TRAVIATA
BY GUISEPPE VERDI

The story of “LA TRAVIATA” is based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, ‘Lady of the Camellias’. One of the world’s most popular operas it tells the story of a Parisian courtesan, Violetta Valery, her life, loves and tragic death.

For further information and tickets contact Hastings Building Society Hastings, Oldershaw and Co. Napier, or send the Preferential Booking Form below to The Secretary, Hawke’s Bay Regional Opera Trust, P.O. Box 1015, Napier.

PREFERENTIAL BOOKING FORM

Tickets Required
30th July 8pm   Stalls   $20.00
Gala Performance   Circle   $25.00
A special Gala Champagne Supper will be offered after this performance.
Tickets are $9.00 each.

2nd August 8pm   Stalls   $20.00
Circle   $25.00

A 20% discount on seat prices at this performance will be offered on all Block Bookings of 10 or over.

4th August 6pm    Stalls   $20.00
Matinee Performance   Circle $25.00

6th August 8pm   Stalls   $20.00
Final Night   Circle   $25.00

ALL PRICES ARE INCLUSIVE OF GST AND BOOKING FEES.

Please send my preferential tickets to:
Name
Address
Signature
My cheque for $ … is enclosed.

Send to:   The Secretary
Hawke’s Bay Regional Opera Trust
P.O. Box 1015
NAPIER.

Postal preferential bookings close Friday July 15, 1988.
Counter sales available from: Hastings Building Society, Market Street, Hastings, and Oldershaw and Co., Marewa Village, Napier, from July 18, 1988, 10am to 4pm.is enclosed.