FAMOUS SINGERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18263, 5 December 1933, Page 5

FAMOUS SINGERS

‘SING ’EM MUCK’ INCIDENT MR, GRAVESTOCK’S MEMORIES SYDNEY, Nov. 22. Reminiscences of famous singers were given by Mr. E. J. Gravestock in a broadcast from Station 2FG. He referred to the controversy which was aroused by the publication of Winifred Pender’s book, in which it was stated that the late Dame Nellie Melba advised Dame Clara Butt, when she visited Australia, to “sing ’em muck; that’s all they will understand.” Mr. Gravestock said he had a vivid recollection of a supper party in Brisbane in 1924, after oiie of the concerts of Dame Clara Butt. Mr. Kenuerley Rumford (Dame Clara Butt’s husband), Miss Pender, and himself were present. After supper Dame Clara Butt recalled the incident, which led to Dame Nellie Melba’s statement. - - -

In 1907, when Dame Nellie Melba and Dame Clara Butt were on the way to London in a special train, the former said: “So you are going to Australia. Well, I hope you do Well. What are you going to sing)” “I don’t know yet,” replied Dame Clara Butt.

“Sing ’em muck.” said Dame Nellie Melba. “ ‘The Lost Chord,’ and that sort of stuff, the same as you have been singing to-night.”

“Everybody seemed to have lost the ieal perspective of the incident,” added Mr. Gravestock. “It happened 25 years ago, before Australia had the benefits of conservatoriunis and colleges of music, and before it bad been visited by worldfamous musicians, and before Melba herself had brought her wonderful opera company to Australia. Mr. Gravestock said that he had heard the most astounding things said about famous artists, which were as far from the truth as the sun was from the earth. A duchess, a friend of Melba’s, had a rare talking bird, which was named Melba after the famous singer. The duchess, referring to the bird in conversation with a friend, said: “I don’t know what to do about Jjffelba. She has gone right off her food, and. won’t talk, or even swear. She will not drink anything, and you know how she drinks. 1 have tried her with some birdseed, and she will not even touch it.” A chatterer who partly overheard the conversation immediately broadcasted among her friends that she had it on tbe authority of the Duchess of Blank that Melba ate birdseed, was a terrible drunkard, and swore like a trooper.