Page 13 Advertisements Column 2

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5832, 24 February 1906, Page 13

Mr Walter Kirby, a you rip Irish-Aus-tr.ili.'ui singer (soya "M.A.P.’’) gave a mo-t interesting concert at L. ora Methuen’s house, in Harley street, on December 18. Among other notable people who patronised it were the Archbishop of IVretminster and the Duchess of Argyll, who baa warmly' complimented ,M r Kirby on the rcniarkablo beauty of his voice, a pure lyric tenor. This concert wan to have been still more interesting by the debut of tho very newest rini gcr. ilisi Violet Clarke, daughter of Sir | George Sydenham Clarke. G.C.M.G., but | who. at the last moment, was unable to I appear. Miffc Clarke, who is a very j pretty, bright girl, and tho idol of her i father’s home, caught tho singing fever j in Australia, when Sir George was Governor of Victoria, and Madame Melba was an honorrod guest at Government Hon.se. Miss Clarko returned to England with Madame Melba, and has since studied in Paris with Marches! and .lean do Retake. Under tho name of Violctte Londa she will enter on a professional career. It is related of Mdme. Rernhnrdt that at one time in her career, embittered at the assaults of tho Parisian critics over her performance of Donna Clarinda in “r/Aventnriere,” she resigned from the Comeriie Francaiso and announced her intention of depending upon painting and sculpture for her living. At thar time her income from her brush and chisel, it is said, was upward of 3U,WO francs annually.