LIFE AT MONTE CARLO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 18

LIFE AT MONTE CARLO

LURE OF THE CASINO MANY TRAGEDIES OCCUR The unique advantage of living in Monte Carlo, within seven minutes' walk of the famous casino, and within two hours' journey of Milan, Italy, is hold by Mrs. Leonard Ivory, formerly Miss Nora Sibbald, of Dunedin. Mrs. Ivory, who is a noted concert singer, left with Iter husband last evening by the Marama on her return to Monte Carlo, after having visited friends and relations in the Dominion. Many interesting sidelights on the life of Monte Carlo were given by Mrs. Ivory in an interview yesterday. The perfection of the winter climate drew visitors from all over the world to this famous resort, Mrs. Ivory said. The season commenced on January 15 with the opening of the opera house. Apart from the casino, the opera house was perhaps the greatest attraction at Monte Carlo, where four performances were given each week. It was at this opera house that Caruso had made his debut.

A vivid word-picture of the famous beauties and priceless gems to be seen at the casino every evening was given by Mrs. Ivory, who said colossal fortunes were frequently lost there, but seldom won. During the season life was one long whirl of gaiety in the famous resort, with the opera, which is presented in Italian and German, taking first place.

For the last four years a summer season had been inaugurated, this commencing in July and ending in September. A casino was opened on the beach, and it was a common thing to see a bather rush out from the sea, have a briof gamble at the casino, and then return to finish a bathe. The casino was also used as a night club, where famous dancers and an equally famous jazz band proved the chief attractions.

Asked about the tragedies which are said to occur in Monte Carlo, Mrs. Ivory said the resort was often unjustly blamed. Many people would travel there with a small sum of money —the last they possessed—in the hope of making a fortune and, when the money was gone, the tragedy occurred. Mrs. Ivory left New Zealand at the nge of 19 and studied singing in Italy, Paris and Vienna. Just prior to the outbreak of war she was engaged for the Berlin opera, but this was abandoned when war commenced. Since then Mrs. Ivory has done a considerable amount of opera and concert Binding in London. She has resided in Monte Carlo for the past seven years.