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Delivered at the Annual General Meeting
on 18 July 1999
Dear Members,
As I started to prepare the Annual Report I realised that it did
indeed give me great pleasure to report to you on the past year which
has been one of growth and achievement.
Our year started with the splendid Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert
performances of Die Walküre. The excitement engendered by these
concerts was translated into large attendances at the lecture given
by Antony Ernst in preparation for the Adelaide Ring Cycle.
As we have come to expect with Antony, these lectures were stimulating,
thought provoking and at times provocative and very popular. In response
to many requests the tapes have been transcribed and edited in consultation
with Antony and it is hoped that they will be available in printed
form for Members soon.
Paul Lehmann did an excellent job of recording each lecture and Barbara
and Ian Brady undertook the massive task of putting the tapes onto
computer disks for editing, and we do thank them all. It has been
a very complicated process made more difficult by Antony’s absence
overseas and the demands on his time that made it difficult for him
to respond quickly to the various drafts with which he has been inundated.
Our annual lunch in honour of the birthday of Richard Wagner was well
attended and everyone enjoyed Bill Gillespie’s comments on the
work leading up to the Adelaide Ring.
It is indisputable the Ring was the major event of the year
with some 150 Members making the trip to Adelaide. We were very proud
to be associated with this venture in our sponsorship of John Wegner
as Wotan. The success of the Ring is a matter of record and
it continues to resound wherever Wagner lovers meet. While we may
differ about the production it is clear that for many, especially
those seeing a Ring Cycle for the first time, the simplicity
of the presentation together with the surtitles allowed the music
and drama to have a very meaningful and satisfying impact.
We congratulate the State Opera of South Australia and all associated
with this historic event. They proved that a largely Australasian
cast and orchestra can mount a significant Ring Cycle and complete
on the world stage.
Our co-operation with Opera Foundation Australia continues and the
Bayreuth Scholarship this year was awarded to Stephen Mould, a conductor
and repetiteur. We congratulate Stephen and wish him every success
in his future career.
The last function of the year was a weekend seminar at Catersfield
in the Hunter Valley where we were the guests of Rosemary Cater-Smith
and Alec Cater. Robert Gibson gave two very interesting lectures on
Parsifal which were greatly appreciated by those present.
It is most gratifying that Members have supported all functions,
performances and meetings so fully. Our membership continues to grow
steadily and there is no doubt that appreciation and knowledge of
the works of Richard Wagner is growing in the community at large.
The Committee has worked steadily throughout the year to ensure the
success of our meetings and to promote our Society as broadly as possible.
Clare Hennessy has been a great backup as Vice President combining
these duties with those of Membership Secretary. Olive Coonan, as
always, is a remarkable Treasurer and continues to give so much to
the Society in so many ways. In particular we thank her for undertaking
responsibility for the Adelaide arrangements which for many reasons
was a thankless task. Barry Walters is an exemplary Secretary whose
attention to detail allows the Committee to function effortlessly
and effectively. The Newsletter is in the very capable hands of Barbara
Brady and I know you will all agree that there is always interesting
material to be found in each issue. Barbara retires from the Committee
this year but will continue as Editor with the assistance of an Editorial
Sub-committee.
Shirley Robertson is another hard working Committee Member providing
delicious refreshments at all meetings. It looks effortless but it
does entail a great deal of planning and preparation and Shirley does
it all with a smile.
Terence Watson has responsibility for our program and does an excellent
job looking for new and interesting activities. Few will forget the
Christmas Quiz or the Market Day in November. Roger Cruickshank is
a tower of strength, willing to turn his hand to any task that needs
to be done. Similarly Onofrio Ferrara despite many calls on his time
is always willing to help when he is able to be with us. On your behalf
I would like to thank each of them.
We acknowledge gratefully the continuing support of the Consul-General
for the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Otto Roever and his staff,
and of Countess Baudissin, Director of the Goethe Institut. Access
to the facilities of the Goethe greatly increases the success and
enjoyment of our meetings and we do thank Countess Baudissin and her
staff for making us so welcome.
I should not forget to thank all those who make donations to the
Society because it is these donations that allow us to make substantial
contributions to major Wagner concerts and opera productions and to
encourage additional works to be included in future programs.
Our year was saddened by the death of Alastair Mackerras. We have
lost a valued Member whose contribution to education and the arts,
to choose only two areas of his vast interests, will be long remembered.
In closing I would like to thank Reg Maloney who continues as our
Public Officer and Joseph Ferfoglia our Auditor.
During the year we invited Joseph to accept Honorary Life Membership
in recognition of his long and close relationship with the Society.
A similar invitation was extended to Horst Hoffmann who, by his presence
in Australia, has made so many Wagner performances possible. We were
delighted when they accepted our invitation and we look forward to
a long association with them both.
I would also like to thank each and every one of you who supports
the Wagner Society in NSW and makes it vibrant, interesting and a
significant part of the music world of this State.
BARBARA McNULTY
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