Kaleidoscope - John Matheson

This episode of Kaleidoscope profiles John Matheson (Ngāi Tahu) a New Zealand born conductor and répétiteur (accompanist and vocal coach) whose career has led him to Covent Garden and posts at European opera houses and festivals. Presenter Sandra Burt explores Matheson's prickly reputation and Kiwi opera star Dame Malvina Major doesn't sugarcoat Matheson's good and bad qualities. Matheson returned to Auckland with a desire to start a new opera venture, but left in 1988 to become music director of the Queensland Lyric Opera. His assessment of the New Zealand attitude to the arts and arts funding is withering. 

...the highlight of highlights of course, was Callas. We had a...I have a couple of handfuls of great singers whom I remember the immense experience of working with — but Callas is a level all to herself. She was quite a unique creature...a great genius, and there will never be another one.

– Conductor John Matheson on working with renowned opera star Maria Callas, early in this documentary

Key Cast & Crew

Kiri Te Kanawa

Subject

Malcolm Bremner

Sound Mix, Sound Recordist

Clive Bayliss

Editor

Malvina Major

Subject

Sandra Burt

Presenter

Peter Coates

Director