MADAME ALBANI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19027, 26 May 1925, Page 9

MADAME ALBANI.

HONOUR FROM THE KING. DAME OF BRITISH EMPIRE. (Received 11.33 p.m.) Reuter. LONDON. May 25. The famous Canadian prima donna, Madame Albani, is to be appointed a Dame of the Order of the British Empire in connection with the King's Birthday honours. Twenty-five years ago Madame Albani enjoyed world-wide popularity. Emma La Jounesse was her real name. In 1898 she married Mr. Ernest Gye, tho impresario, father of Errest Gye, the artist. Her farewell concert was given at (lie Albert Hall in 1911. Three years earlier she had begun teaching. Although she is 72 years old, she is still teaching. She was awarded five years ago a Civil List pension of £IOO a year "in recognition of her distinction as an artist and in consideration of her circumstances." Mr. F. L. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, recently instituted a subscription fund for tho singer, who was born at Charnbly, Quebec. A concert on her behalf was organised by Lady Butler, and this was to have been held last night. Madame Albani's husband is over 80 years of age, but is still fairly active. The singer still attends concerts, and often uses a seat at the Albert Hall which was bequeathed to her. Recently she gave an account of her circumstances to a Daily Mail reporter. In the musicroom of the house in Kensington West, where sho and hor husband, Mr. Ernest Gye, have lived for several years and where she takes singing pupils, sho talked vivaciously, using quick gestures of hands almost as expressive as her words. Site said: "If it were not for my teaching I <ould not live as I do now, and I do not want to be at tho mercy of my teaching. I foel that I would like to have a rest and not be bothered with singing lessons. While I teach for about four nours a day and feel equal to it, I do not. want to go on until I am compelled to stop. Lady Butler has for some time been anxious to help mo. With some friends she is organising a concert at the Covent Garden Opera House. Besides Damo Nellie Melba it is hoped that Dame Clara Butt and Mr. Robert Radford will take part. I shall be there myself to whisper good-bye. It was as a result of tho efforts of Lady Butler on my behalf that tho Canadian appeal was made. When tho Canadians heard what was being dono over here they wanted to do something themselves. When last over here Mr. Mackenize King camo to see me twice. While lam dependent on my teaching I am not quite in straitened circumstances, but I have suffered from some unfortunate losses in my life."