Strange Case of Eugene Goosens and other Tales from the Opera House, The

Language: English

Published by Collins Australia, 1988

0732224497 / 9780732224493

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Seller: Elizabeth's Bookshops, Fremantle, WA, AustraliaElizabeth's Bookshops

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Softcover

Condition: Used - Very good

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AUSTRALIANA Biography Music - Eugene Aynsley GoossensGoossens spent nine years in Australia, from 1947 to 1956. There, he enthusiastically lobbied for a new major performing arts theatre, which ultimately led to the creation of theÂSydney Opera House.He conducted theÂSydney Symphony OrchestraÂand other groups, and was the director of theÂNSW State Conservatorium of Music. He held these positions concurrently until March 1956, when he was forced to resign after a major public scandal, only a year after beingÂknighted.In the early 1950s, Goossens metÂRosaleen Norton, the so-called "WitchÂofÂKings Cross". Norton was known as an artist of the grotesque and for her interest in theÂoccultÂandÂerotica, which Goossens secretly shared. They conducted an intense affair, exchanging a number of passionate letters; although Goossens asked Norton to destroy all of them, she kept a bundle hidden behind a sofa.In early 1956, Goossens visited Europe, unaware thatÂSydneyÂpolice were already in possession of his letters to Norton and photographs of her occult activities, which had been stolen from her flat byÂSydneyÂSunÂreporter Joe Morris, who had infiltrated her supposed "coven". When Goossens returned to Australia on 9 March 1956, he was detained atÂSydney Airport, following a tip-off by informants in London; his bags were searched by Customs officials, who found a large amount of what was then consideredÂpornographicÂmaterial, which included photographs, prints, books, a spool of film, some rubber masks, and sticks of incense.Although he was not immediately arrested or charged, Goossens naively agreed to attend a police interview a few days later, where he was confronted with photographs of Norton's "ceremonies" and his letters. Faced with the evidence of his affair with Norton â" which left him open to the serious charge of "scandalous conduct" â" Goossens was forced to plead guilty to the pornography charges. He paid a fine of £100; more significantly, the scandal ruined his reputation and forced him to resign from his positions. He returned to England in disgrace.The scandal was the basis of a novel,ÂPaganÂ(1990), by Inez Baranay; it also inspired a play,ÂThe Devil is a Woman, byÂLouis NowraÂand an opera,ÂEugene & Roie, by Drew Crawford. The scandal is documented in the filmÂThe Fall of the House, directed by Geoff Burton. 280 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm. #270424/171225 Sydney Opera House -- Anecdotes Performing arts -- New South Wales -- Sydney -- Anecdotes Entertainers -- New South Wales -- Sydney -- Anecdotes (Name on inside cover) Elizabeth's Bookshops have been one of Australia's premier independent book dealers since 1973. Elizabeth's family-owned business operates four branches in Perth CBD, Fremantle (WA), and Newtown (NSW). All orders are dispatched within 24 hours from our Fremantle Warehouse. All items can be viewed at Elizabeth's Bookshop Warehouse, 23 Queen Victoria Street\, Fremantle WA.

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Bibliographic details

Title
Strange Case of Eugene Goosens and other Tales from the Opera House, The
Author
Hubble, Ava
Publisher
Collins Australia
Publication year
1988
Condition
Very Good +
Binding
Softcover
Language
English
ISBN 10
0732224497
ISBN 13
9780732224493
Seller catalogs
53, 2322, 265

Elizabeth's Bookshops

Fremantle, WA, Australia

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since March 8, 2001

Shipping rates from Australia to U.S.A.

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Store description

Elizabeth's Bookshops were established in 1973 and are one of Australia's largest secondhand bookdealers with 2 branches in Western Australia (Fremantle) and 1 branch in Sydney (Newtown) We are General Secondhand & Discount Booksellers. We stock over 250,000 books. Our website base is at 23 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle, WA 6160 Australia.

Specialty

Military History, History, Art & Design, Australian, West Australian, Fauna and Flora, Australian Military History, Railways

Seller's business information

IFLBooks ATF H E S Family Trust T/A Elizabeth's Bookshop

Elizabeth's Bookshops Administration, 23 Queen Victoria St
Fremantle, WA Australia 6160