Going to the Opera
As there are no letters for a few days, I thought that readers may be interested in hearing the voice of a different soldier involved in the Italian campaign, one who may have been in the same audience as Stan when attending the opera in Bari. In John Strawson's book 'The Battle for Italy', Strawson quotes Douglas Orgill, who fought in the Italian campaign. Orgill developed jaundice and was sent to a military hospital based in a "sumptuous villa". After praising the quality of the food provided by the Red Cross, he goes on to say: "Most of us during our year in Italy had either discovered or further indulged a liking for opera. Its enjoyment varied from provincial companies in places like Bari or Taranto to an occasional treat on leave in Rome or Naples. Being stationed nearby for a time my regiment developed a great affection for the Bari repertory company. All the classic roles were performed by the same three singers, baritone, tenor and soprano, ...