DECIDED FOR OPERA

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20845, 1 July 1939, Page 17 (Supplement)

DECIDED FOR OPERA

JOAN HAMMOND’S CAREER FORMER SPORTS CHAMPION " The five girls who are Joan Hammond have been quarrelling," says the London Daily Mail. " Joan the prima donna, whose soprano voice is already famous in Continental opera houses," it says, " dominates Joan the swimming champion because swimming injures the throat muscles. " Joan the champion golfer wants a day a week for practice, but it cannot be spared. “ At the same time, Joan the tennis and squash player, demands attention, and the slim, bobbed and smiling Joan Hammond has a whole-time job holding the balance. “ She has decided, however, to make opera her career. She says she has not played golf for six months. far as the door of a swimming-pool, hut conscience forced me to turn away, because if I swam I wouldn't be able lo sing for a week. However, I take golf exercises every night and just pretend I'm' keeping in training. " I still feel homesick whenever 1 see a racquet or golf club, but r think I have finally settled the quarrel with myself.’ ” Grade Fields’ Critical Illness Gracie Fields, after an abdominal operation. is passing through a fourday crisis, and is not allowed to talk or have visitors, said a London message recently. She has had hundreds of hunches nf flowers from admirers, and the thousands of letters ol’good wishes include Queen Marv’s,

she has not before attempted. It is also her intention to include several lighter lieder numbers.