Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Oratorio singer who studied at the Guildhall School of Music, won a gold medal, and began her career on music halls.
On the island
Eight records
The guest mentions this as her first broadcast, so it is likely one of her chosen discs.
The keepsakes
No book or luxury recorded for this episode.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:12Do you come from a musical family?
No, not particularly.
Presenter asks
0:33Why did you turn to music?
I think it was just a natural love.
Presenter asks
1:24When you left the Guildhall School of Music, did you find work [easily]?
Not by any means, because just before the First World War when things were difficult, I did usual rounds, you know, singing at Masonics and that kind of [thing]… I could not get into the better music and [opera].
Presenter asks
2:00What was your first break as a serious singer?
Oh, when I went to Leeds I was taken up there by Daniel Meyer, who was the great empresario of those days, and with Madame Clarabatt, she was the great star. And I was terrified, needless to say, but I sang and I never looked back on [it].
Presenter asks
3:37You said once that you often felt in your career that you were spiritually guided. Could you tell us about that?
Yes, I do, because I frequently have these feelings and… while I was singing for the BBC, singing Vaughan Williams's Silent Noon, and I suddenly had this feeling of levitation. So much so I took my shoes [off] and I had to hang on with my toes. And I went cold, and I turned round to Barclay Mason, who was the accompanist, and said, 'Chaliapin has passed on.' And he said, 'How do you know?' I said, 'I'm sure I'm sure I felt his pulsing.' And on the way home was on all the placards that Chaliapin had passed.
Presenter asks
4:52What are your views on the younger generation of singers? Are they better musicians?
Well, I should say yes, better musicians. But the voices no, I don't [think] there's something missing. And I'm not being old fashioned in saying things aren't what they were. But I'm listening for something that's going to really thrill me and I never get it.
“I frequently have these feelings and… while I was singing… Vaughan Williams's Silent Noon, and I suddenly had this feeling of levitation. So much so I took my shoes [off] and I had to hang on with my toes.”
“I said, 'Chaliapin has passed on.' And he said, 'How do you know?' I said, 'I'm sure I'm sure I felt his pulsing.'”
“But I'm listening for something that's going to really thrill me and I never get it.”
“I don't think they work as hard, and I don't think they appreciate words. It's all my voice, my voice, my voice.”