“SILVER WINGS”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 2 June 1930, Page 5

“SILVER WINGS”

ALLEGED PLAGIARISM P]ROM “MADAME BUTTERFLY” (United Press Association—Bv Electn Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 31st May. Sir Landon Ronald, the composer, was one of the witnesses iri a law-suit in which the owners of the copyright of “Madame Butterfly” are contending that airs from that opera form the basis of items in “Silver Wings,” a musical play now being performed in London. The defence denies the allegation and says the fundamental air of one of the songs •complained of was taken from a Sankey and Moody hymn tune. Sir Landon Ronald, giving evidence for the defence, said there was no similarity between the opera and the musical play excerpts, but he positively refused to hum the Sankey and Moody hymn, tune unless the Judge ordered him to do so. Questioned with reference to the abominable practice of taking melodies from great composers and incorporating them in dance tunes, he said: “I think it is scandalous. Nobody is more bitter about it than I.” He added that he never listened ,to modern dance music unless he could possibly avoid it.