CHARMING BELGIAN SINGERS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1551, 15 January 1920, Page 33

CHARMING BELGIAN SINGERS.

Madame Goossens - Viceroy, who sings so enchantingly at the N.S.W. State Orchestral concerts, comes from Belgium,, and, like her husband (M. Albert Goossens, also a captivating vocalist), was under an operatic contract in Brussels for five years, with an engagement by Polacco to follow for Covent Garden. Then war broke out and M. Goossens went to the front, was wounded and sent to King Albert’s Hospital for Belgian soldiers in London. Meanwhile Madame stayed on in Belgium sewing all day long to make clothes for the little children who were destitute, and subsequently, hearing that her husband had got his discharge, she escaped the vigilance of the German authorities and managed to get over to Antwerp, where she took ship to London, arriving there at 9 p.m. With no knowledge of English it was very hard to make it known that she was looking for the office that cares for Belgian soldiers. “I make myself understood by mimic,” she said in her pretty broken English, “and then they take me and I see my husband.” On his recovery M. and Madame were engaged to come over to Australia in 1915 with the Belgian Band, formed in London. On the termination of the tour they joined the teaching staff of the Sydney Conservatorium, where they have a verjpleasant association. The birth of a little daughter in Melbourne nearly four years ago is a happy event of their Australian residence. Belgium, madame says, from letters she receives from her sisters, is gradually working back to its former condition, and industries seem to .be reviving again, and everything going well. Neither Madame nor her . husband could speak a word of English when they arrived in Australia. Now they have a very creditable vocabulary, and Madame is justly proud. “I like your cleemate—l mean climate,” she hurriedly corrected herself, “but of to-day”—it was one of Auckland’s muggiest days—“no, we will not speak!” ■ • U!T.

Those who recall the enjoyable performances of the Diggers will hear with sincere regret of the death of Mr. Cyril Scobell, the clever monologuist of the party, who passed away in Wellington on December 31 after a severe operation.

This speaks for itself. Not a vacant seat was to be seen at the Town Hall on Monday night, when the last concert of the N.S.W. State Orchestra was held, and numbers of people were turned away. Cheers greeted Mr. . Verbrugghen and his party at the conclusion, the conductor expressing his satisfaction at playing to such a vast audience.

Mr. Walter Monk is in Auckland as advance representative for Miss Daisy Kennedy, the renowned violinist, who is touring the Dominion under J. and N. Tait’s direction.

Harry Cohen sends a line from New York to say he is leaving Vancouver on January 21 for New Zealand, bringing in his trunk “Scandal” and two or. three other big current successes of which he owns the Australasian and African rights.

Mr. C. R. Bailey, who has resigned the management of the Princess and Queen’s picture theatres, was presented by Mr. T. Foley, on behalf of the staff, with a suit case as a memento of the happy relations that had existed. Mr. Rud Petersen, so popularly known in the capacity of theatre manager, returns to his old calling.