MR JOHN M'CORMACK

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20052, 15 September 1920, Page 8

MR JOHN M'CORMACK

ART FOR ARTS SAKE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. • By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, (Received September 16, 1.30 p.m.) . LONDON, September 14. The newspapers publish a cable message from Mr, John M’Cormnck saying that he wants to sing in London, “ because ho knows that British audiences will receive him on his merits as an artist, for art knows no nationality, and will not shout him down because ho happens to be an American citizen.” DISLIKES NATIONAL / ANTHEM. “A STUDIED AFFRONT.” Australian and K.Z. Cable Association, (Received September 15, 12.45 p.m.; : SYDNEY, September 15. The cable from London with rcferonce to Mr John M’Connack, the well-known tenor, is a sequel to his cancellation of a concert at Adelaide fixed for.last Saturday night. After a previous concert, at which his audience ming the National Anthem, Mr M’Cormack declared that this was a Btudied affront and insinuation. He refused to have the National Anthem sung at ot played at his concerts. He explained that the Anthem was never performed at recitals except when Vice-Regal parties were present. . He added that various members of the community had been violently antagonistic to him- on account of bis American citizenship, and were determined to make his stay in Adelaide miserable. They .were not inspired with patriotic feeling. Ho was as proud to be an American citizen as he was proud to have been born in Ireland. During Mr M’Oormack’s Sydney season, prior to visiting Adelaide, considerable deling Oiown uvor the absence of the Anthem at some concerts.