LATE DAME MELBA,
DIED WITH SONG ON LIPS. WHAT OTHERS WOULD CHOOSE. The fact that Dame Nellie Melba died with the song “Ave Maria” on her lips prompted the London Daily Express to inquire from prominent people what they would choose as their last piece of music. Among the replies received were:— Herman Finck, the composer: “I would like Tosti’s 1 Good-bye.’ ” Mr Gordon Selfridge, head of the famous store: “ I would rather hear a good story, which would end in a hearty laugh.” Charlie Chaplin: “I haven't thought about dying, but I would choose " The Hallelujah Chorus.” Mr George Bernard Shaw: "I know nothing I would like to hear when dying, but when dead I would choose Handel."
The same question xvas put to some, famous Americans, among the replies being:
Gene Tunney, retired heavyweight
champion of the world: “The funeral march from ‘Gotterdammcrung.’ ” Billy Sunday, evangelist: “In the Sweet By and Bye.’ ” Philip Sousa, band conductor: “My own composition, 1 The Stars and Stripes Forever.’ ”
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19310321.2.108.19.3
Bibliographic details
Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18283, 21 March 1931, Page 17 (Supplement)
Word Count
167LATE DAME MELBA, Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18283, 21 March 1931, Page 17 (Supplement)
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