Wagner Society of New Zealand Patron: Sir Donald McIntyre NEWSLETTER

Vol. 13 No. 4 April 2017 President’s Report for 2016 AGM - 21 May 2017 Formal Notice The Wagner Society of New Zealand AGM is to be held on Sunday 21 May 2017 in St Heliers Community Centre, 100 St Heliers Bay Road, Auckland at 7.00pm. So far, Committee and Office-Bearer nominations have been received as follows: President...... Chris Brodrick Vice President...... Ken Tomkins Secretary...... Peter Rowe Treasurer...... Jeanette Miller PR/Liaison...... Gloria Streat Bob O’Hara Committee.. John Davidson, Lesley Kendall, Juliet Rowe Bob O’Hara as Uberto (La Serva Padrona.) Michael Sinclair If you wish to make a nomination: In this, the 22nd President’s report to trips including both Adelaide Phone: Peter at 09-520 4690 or the Wagner Society of New Zealand, I Rings, the 2013 Ring and he Email: [email protected]. would like, among all the thank yous, to has plans to attend the San Francisco to be sent a form. Nominations can focus some attention on two members. Ring next year. also be made from the floor at the One has been with us from 1995 and Bob and other WSNZ members’ ability meeting. after many years of service has recently to attend these overseas productions stepped down from the committee. The is enabled by the wonderful work of Membership renewals other, who may not have been with us Michael Sinclair, as the organising force Included with this newsletter is a from the start, has nonetheless made a behind our overseas trips. These tours 2017-18 membership renewal form. huge contribution. require significant advanced planning, Needless to say we sincerely hope you Bob O’Hara has been a stalwart of the which makes Michael’s knowledge of will be continuing your membership Society in Auckland where, with his love future productions invaluable and, of the Society because, without of Wagner, he not only provided plenty of coupled with his willingness to manage members we don’t have a Society. enthusiasm but also ensured that high- these trips on behalf of the Society, Remember also, we continually quality wines were served at the Auckland is greatly appreciated by us all. In need new members as sadly none of events, in his famous XL5 wine glasses addition, Michael oversees our website, us is getting any younger. If you know (the standard for international tasting). contributes to the newsletter, was of anyone who would be interested in Bob was born in Nelson in 1934 and the Society secretary for a number of joining us please do encourage them. was always very musical. He learnt years, and one of the Auckland meeting We do, after all, offer wide-ranging the cornet before, at the age of fifteen, organisers. As the Society enters its mid programmes in all four of the main studying singing as a bass-baritone, with twenties it is right that we acknowledge centres of New Zealand. Programmes George Wilson. After his musical training those who are willing to undertake the that, in their sheer diversity, must be Bob managed a successful part-time hard work. Therefore on behalf of all the the envy of many other societies. singing career alongside his full-time membership, I’d like to thank both Bob As you complete your application job in the Police force. In 1957, in his and Michael for everything that they please also consider a donation to mid-twenties, Bob sang in a production have given to the WSNZ and, in the charitable arm of the Society, the of Il Trovatore alongside Anita Ritchie (Cont. page 2) Wagner Foundation. who, with her husband John, as Heath Lees wrote, “personally sowed the seeds Kurt Moll Kurt Moll’s forty-five year career of the Wagner Society of New Zealand dies took him to the most important opera way back in the 1970s.” In 1965 Bob sang aged 79 houses and concert stages in the world Curley in the Rodgers and Hammerstein where he sang a wide range of roles musical Oklahoma and Uberto in 1990 in that included Hermann in Tannhäuser, Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona. King Marke in Tristan and his As a member of the WSNZ Bob has signature Wagnerian role, Gurnemanz participated in a number of the Society’s in Parsifal.

11 Dunkerron Avenue, Epsom, Auckland 1051 • Ph: (09) 520 4690 • Web site: www.wagnersociety.org.nz recognition of that service, to honour them both with Life memberships. Review: During the year the Society rejoined Visions of Valhalla – the International Association of Wagner A Poetic Tribute to Richard Wagner Societies (Verband) and, as a result, we John Davidson has written an received an unexpected quantity of tickets idiosyncratic tribute to Richard to the 2017 Bayreuth Festival. After an Wagner and I am impressed by his initial concern that we would struggle to ability to express knowledge and fill the allocation, the tickets were taken admiration stylishly via poetic skill, wit up very quickly and we will have nine and personality encased in a quality members present at this year’s Festival, publication. The illustrations and our biggest presence for some years. cover design are excellent. As the newsletter is the principal Here is an ‘alternative way’ of means by which we can keep in touch, spending time with the master. I’d like to thank all those who made Contemplations and narratives contributions. Even though we only are offered that involve Wagnerian publish four editions a year the task is characters, facts, themes and music made considerably easier by having alongside the poet’s own quirky vision reliable contributors. of the world. The task of keeping the Society To quote John himself from the functioning on a day to day basis Visions of Valhalla illustration: introduction, ‘the poems are a mix of has been masterfully handled by The Dutchman rising heavenwards the serious and not-so-serious’. They’re our Secretary, Peter Rowe, and our all linked in some way to Richard Treasurer, Jeanette Miller. Our thanks WSNZ Waikato? Wagner and for Wagner enthusiasts it to both for their hard work. We also Hamilton member, Leonardo Milani, is fun working out how and marvelling need to thank Peter for the use of the has recently convened a meeting of at the influence the man and his music telephone conference call facilities Waikato Wagnerians with the aim of has had in the world. of Minter Ellison that enable the setting up a fifth branch of the Society. For example in What value an opera? National Committee to carry out the We will report the outcome of that (p 70) he talks about German stamps Society business. The members of that meeting in our next issue but in the that featured Wagnerian subjects Committee are: Ken Tomkins, Vice meantime if you know of anyone in and whose issue coincided with the President; Jeanette Miller, Treasurer; the Waikato who could be interested in 3rd Reich. Playfully he considers Juliet Rowe, Minute Secretary; Peter being part of this group please contact the increasing monetary values of 9 Rowe, Secretary; along with John Leonardo at: leonardo.milani@vuw. stamps over that period, beginning Davidson, Gloria Streat, Lesley Kendall ac.nz with The Flying Dutchman, , and Bob O’Hara (to the middle of the Anthony Negus awarded Siegfried and so on - up to Parsifal. year). All of them deserve our utmost The Sir Reginald Goodall Memorial However he points to ‘one significant gratitude as without their commitment, Award for outstanding services to canonical omission’ Götterdämmerung the Society would not survive. Wagner’s music was presented by the and links its value to May 1945 ‘when John Hambling continues as our Wagner Society (London) to Anthony even the bunker was crumbling’. honorary Auditor and, once again, our Negus who conducted the NZSO in I was drawn to Cosima because grateful thanks go to him for keeping an Parsifal in 2006. she is of particular interest to eye on the books. me and because there is a photo The National Committee is supported accompanying the poem – a splendid by smaller groups in each centre who sculpted head of her by Arno Breker. not only organise meetings but also Like the other poems Cosima delivers ensure they run smoothly. In Auckland a number of well-crafted facts before we were lucky to have Ken Tomkins, modulating to a darker tone – to Juliet Rowe, Jeanette Miller, Bob ponder another possible reality which O’Hara, David Colemore-Williams and in turn gives way to a final touch of Helen Kirkman. John Davidson led wit, a cruel but true part of her legacy. the Wellington team with Tibby and ‘And she had the nose to sniff out Adrian Simcock, Anne Mallinson, and competition.’ Michael Ashdown. In Christchurch the Anthony Negus (second left) with Wagner For those who have been able to meetings were run by Gloria Streat, Society members: Richard Miles, (l) Jan ignore or dislike Wagner, or haven’t John Pattinson, Elizabeth Cooch and Leigh and Paul Dawson-Bowling author of had the inclination to get to know Jenny Lee, while Terence Dennis, Lesley the 2-volume The Wagner Experience (r). him, I think that the poems might Kendall and Louise Kilby looked after be frustrating and less appealing. Dunedin. It should also be noted that Wagner to Elgar However, the notes at the back are both the Christchurch and Auckland Wellington member Deryk McNamara useful in this respect. branches were forced to change venues noted that during the first cricket I am not a regular reader of in the last year bringing extra work for test in Dunedin earlier in the year, it poetry and often approach it with their sub-committees. was entertaining to read of the rivalry dread because I’ve experienced So with another year gone we have between New Zealand bowler Neil bewilderment and impatience many another to look forward to. May you all Wagner and South African batsman Dean times in the past. However, I was benefit from what we offer and have an Elgar. Both played against each other in delighted with these poems and found enjoyable Wagner-filled year. schoolboy cricket in South Africa before them very entertaining. - Christopher Brodrick, Wagner emigrated to N.Z. where he now - Jenny Lee, Christchurch President finds himself facing his old rival. Wagner Society of New Zealand 2017 Programme Details Auckland Wellington Christchurch Sunday, 23 April at 3.30pm Sunday 7 May at 4.00pm Friday, 5 May at 7.30pm Please note earlier starting time Venue: St Andrew’s Church Venue: The Music Suite, Room P2, Venue: St Heliers Community Centre, (note different venue) Rangi Ruru School, Merivale 100 St Heliers Bay Road, Auckland Visions of Valhalla: Heath Lees and Visions of Valhalla: Heath Lees and : Katharina Wagner’s John Davidson’s joint presentation John Davidson’s joint presentation. (See staging from 2016 Bayreuth Festival with featuring John’s recently published Wellington 7 May for details) Christian Thielemann, Stephen Gould, collection of Wagner poems. A selection Friday, 18 August at 7.30pm Evelyn Herlitzius and Christa Mayer of these will be read, interspersed with Venue: The Music Suite, Room P2, Sunday, 21 May at 7.00pm talk, pre-recorded clips and piano Rangi Ruru School, Merivale Venue: St Heliers Community Centre, excerpts. Lohengrin: John Pattinson introduces 100 St Heliers Bay Road, Auckland Sunday 18 June at 12.30pm and plays some excerpts to lead into a WSNZ AGM followed by Behind the PLEASE NOTE:– New time screening of the complete opera on the Score: The Tristan Effect: Concert Venue: Paramount Cinema following Sunday featuring conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen Joint Meeting with the Opera Society. Sunday, 20 August at 3.30pm and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra A screening of Valencia Siegfried. Venue: Cynthia Hawes & Andy Buchanan, who present the story of the opera’s A brunch at 11.00am is to be arranged – 74 Hackthorne Road, Cashmere creation and its impact on musicians details later Lohengrin: Performance on DVD, and artists of all kinds. Introduced by Sunday 16 July at 4.00pm pausing after Act 2 for a meal before Chris Brodrick. Venue: St Andrew’s Hall proceeding to the third and final act Sunday, 30 July at 7.00pm Documentary Film. Details later. Friday, 27 October at 7.30pm Venue: St Heliers Community Centre, Sunday 1 October at 4.00pm Venue: The Music Suite, Room P2, 100 St Heliers Bay Road, Auckland Venue: St Andrew’s Hall Rangi Ruru School, Merivale A Matchmaker between Wagner and The View from the Stage Part 3 (1924-45) The Most Notorious Chord in the Mozart: Heath Lees presents Der Chris Brodrick presents his illustrated World – the so-called Tristan chord. Rosenkavalier talk about famous and interesting people John Drummond explains what the Sunday, 17 September at 7.00pm who attended Bayreuth Festival during chord is all about, how Wagner came Venue: St Heliers Community Centre, the most difficult period in its history up with it, and why it is so appropriate 100 St Heliers Bay Road, Auckland Late November or early December to the story of the opera Visions of Valhalla: Heath Lees and End of Year Party. Details to be confirmed. Date to be announced John Davidson’s joint presentation Venue: TBA featuring John’s recently published Christmas Social Function collection of Wagner poems. A selection of these will be read, interspersed with Wagner talk, pre-recorded clips and piano Dunedin excerpts. Murmurs Sunday, 21 May at 2.00pm Sunday 10 December 7.00pm • Simon O’Neill will perform Venue: Black-Sale House, Department Venue: St Heliers Community Centre, Siegmund in a concert performance of Music, The University of Otago 100 St Heliers Bay Road, Auckland of Die Walküre at the 2017 Legendary Wagner Singers: Christmas Function: Featuring a Pot- Edinburgh International Festival Terence Dennis shows rare film pourri of Wagneriana plus our famous alongside Bryn Terfel and Christine footage of some of the greatest cake and wine Goerke. Wagner singers of the 20th century • The rumour mill suggests that the Sunday, 10 Sept at 2.00pm Melbourne Opera’s 2017 Metropolitan Opera will perform Venue: Black-Sale House, Department Lohengrin. Lohengrin during its 2018-19 season of Music, The University of Otago with Stuart Skelton, Anna Netrebko Weber and Wagner: Kapellmeister Lohengrin will be performed at and Evelyn Herlitzius. Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on 7-9 in Dresden. Terence Dennis presents August and at Robert Blackwood Hall, • The Royal Opera will revive film and sound examples from Monash University, on 19 August. its production of Der Ring des Weber’s masterpieces The principals will be Romanian Nibelungen between September and Sunday, 8 Oct at 2.00pm tenor, Marius Vlad (the MO 2016 November 2018 with John Lundgren, Venue: Black-Sale House, Department Tannhäuser), and Australian soprano Nina Stemme, Stefan Vinke, Stuart of Music, The University of Otago Helena Dix whose appearance as Elsa is Skelton and Emily Magee in the Tuba or Not Tuba? That is the being supported by The RWS Melbourne leading roles. Question: John Pattinson traces the Victoria. Helena is currently working • Dmitri Tcherniakov will direct development of this noble creature with Maestro James Levine at The Met Bayreuth’s next Ring to be presented from the depths of the Rhine to its as cover for Electra in their current in 2020. It will be conducted by emergence on the modern concert production of Idomeneo. Lohengrin is Andris Nelsons. platform produced by Greg Hocking, directed by • Yuval Sharon will direct the new Sunday, 26 Nov at 12.00 noon Suzanne Chaundy and conducted by Dr production of Lohengrin at Bayreuth Venue: Carrington College, David Kram. in 2018; while Tobias Kratzer will 57 Heriot Row Tickets can be purchased at: direct the new Tannhäuser in 2019. Christmas Luncheon and Wagner http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/ - Michael Sinclair Concert to inaugurate the Sydney artist/1141322 Opera House A Poet Cornered Heath Lees Writes About His Projected Tour with John Davidson If anyone were to ask me what’s best about Wagner Societies I would quote the title of journalist Beth Whitehead Scott’s book: You Meet Such Interesting People. All over the world, Wagner Society memberships include the most fascinating folk from the most varied callings. In Wagner Society company Heath Lees, (left) John Davidson (right) with the man in the middle I have met — in male and female forms — a number of eye surgeons, people think about their subject in a centennial celebrations with its startling urologists, tax inspectors, building site new way — “the mark of a true poet”, he abbreviation of VER.DI. workers, a butcher, two bakers, a US says. One of my own favourites is The senator . . . judges, journalists, joiners, To celebrate this event within the Millionaire Question which starts not dress designers . . . all of them drawn ranks of the NZ Wagner Society, John from Wagner but from Cole Porter and (sometimes unwillingly) to Richard Davidson and I are about to team the film High Society, where Frank Wagner’s largely overpowering music up and travel. Together we will visit Sinatra pops the question to Celeste and his largely despicable personality. three New Zealand centres, bringing Holm “Who wants to be a millionaire?” Trying to reconcile the two aspects a packed roadshow of comments, John turns the question on its head and is one of the challenges that these readings, interview slots, and musical immediately puts his hand up with a interesting people regularly get their illustrations — live and recorded. First resounding —“I do!” then goes on to teeth into. up is Christchurch on 5th May, and then contradict the line “And sleep through In New Zealand we too have our own Wellington, two days later. Towards the Wagner at the Met”. No fear, says John, big, kaleidoscopic membership, but end of the year, we will visit Auckland who would always be wide awake in his occasionally someone floats onto our (17 September) and hopefully Dunedin plush opera-box. radar who displays striking talents that in 2018. John’s bantering, clear-eyed approach we never really knew they had. For most It’s always fascinating to hear writers to over-zealous Wagnerism is My Sixth of us this is the case with Professor John ‘perform’ their own works. With Ring where he treads delicately around Davidson, for years an ‘ordinary’ Wagner poets, the voyage of discovery can be Ring-hardened Wagnerists in a theatre Society member, then a voice on the particularly revealing. In front of an foyer as they loudly exchange their Ring committee, now the ‘front man’ for the expectant public, they can let their attendances like cricket scores. But Wellington centre, and most recently a words and emotions write themselves the tolling bell of the final line brings a Wagner poet in a world where almost no much larger than is possible on the different reality: “Make the most of this Wagner poets exist. page, while every deft little nuance Ring. It may be your last.” For more than forty years, John has and detail comes into full view in live All of Wagner’s characters appear taught in the Classics department at performance. in this poetic parade. There’s Minna, Victoria University, Wellington, and This sort of insight will be specially Mathilde, Cosima, Robber the dog, thanks to his deep knowledge of Greek enjoyable here, because John’s the scurrilous jockeys of Paris, a dark myth and drama, he has frequently poems are kaleidoscopic in subject character with the stamp of Adolf (read enlightened our Wagner Society and mercurial in treatment. Serious the poem What Value an Opera? to get audiences with talks that open up the one minute, funny the next. Wry the joke), King Ludwig, Queen Victoria, classical background of Wagner’s works and challenging at times, and never Siegfried, the Dutchman, etc, etc. . . and ideas. outstaying their welcome. On the Punctuating John’s readings, there Not many people know John as contrary, each poem flashes by with will be conversations, reflections, and a poet. But he is. His hot-off-the- its individual lights glowing, yet some reading between the lines. Along press collection, Visions of Valhalla, always contributing to the collection’s with a few musical embroideries, there’ll is rooted and grounded in Wagner overall illumination, and showing us be well-chosen questions that will no and Wagnerism, and has been the musician Wagner, the poet John doubt tease our poet into revealing a bit neatly reviewed in this newsletter by Davidson, and of course ourselves, the more of himself than his well-crafted Christchurch member Jenny Lee, who readers and listeners. words already allow. homes in on John’s “poetic skill, wit and During the show (as they say) you’ll It promises to be a mixture of fun, personality”. She admits to finding the hear a number of Wagner-isms that fable, and fascination. You shouldn’t collection delightful and entertaining, you’ve never heard before. For example miss it. and says that it made her re-discover the a sulky, adolescent Brünnhilde who huge impact that Wagner had during his blames her father Wotan for being lifetime, and beyond . overbearing yet indecisive. You’ll The poems have also been smile at the inclusion of Fate’s little New members commented on by UK Wagner writer joke that made Germany’s major trade A big Wagnerian welcome to: Barry Millington, who praises John’s union, the tongue-crunching Vereinte Michael Beard...... Christchurch “deep love and knowledge of Wagner”. Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft threaten to Judith Ross...... Christchurch He too notes that the poems make disrupt Berlin’s period of the Wagner bi-