DEATH OF MR. CHARLES TURNER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9560, 11 July 1894, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. CHARLES TURNER.

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. Charles Turner, the well-known operatic singer, which took place at twenty minutes past one o'clock this morning. The deceased gentleman caught a severe cold on the passage across from Sydney, but it was not thought to be serious. He was able to take part in the opening per. formance of his company at the Opera House on Monday evening, the 2nd instant, but it was then apparent that he was far from well, and it was with difficulty that he succeeded in going through the performance. On tho following day he was much worse, and had to take to his bed. Congestion of the lungs ensued, and although all that the best medical skill and most careful could do was done he continued to sink, and expired at his hotel as stated at an early hour this morning, his wife and Mr. Farley, Mr. H. Cross (manager), and one or two other members of the company being present, -Much sympathy will be felt for Mrs. Turner in her sad bereavement.

Mr. Turner came of a musical family, his brother James, also a fine tenor singer, being still at the head of one of the best opera companies in Great Britain, playing practically the same parts as Charles Turner. Both were with the noted Carl Rosa Opera Company in its best days. In 1880 the deceased married Mis* Annis Montague, then one of the prima donne of the company named, and tho same year came out to Australia. Prior to his marriage, however, he had visited and sung in South Africa. In 1885 a return was made to England, where both Mr. and Mrs. Turner again appeared in grand opera. But the Home climate did not suit Mr. Turner, and he was compelled to return South of the line. This he did by way of America, where a long series of engagements was fulfilled. Then, after a brief stay at Honolulu, Mrs. Turner's home, Australia was made their headquarters. This last tour was tho third Mr. and Mrs. Turner had undertaken in Mew Zealand. The deceased gentleman was comparatively young, being not yet 50 yearn of age, and it is thought by his medical attendants that the cold which ended so fatally must have been hanging about him for nearly a year.