Globe Theatre

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The Age (Melbourne, Vic) Mon 19 Jun 1939, Page 13 – writes – MISS MARJORIE LAWRENCE Concert Thrills at Winchelsea

Concert Thrills at Winchelsea – Fresh from the opera houses of Europe and the United States, Miss Marjorie Lawrence gave her Australian premiere in the little Globe Theatre at Winchelsea on Saturday night, before an audience composed of the people who had watched her grow up and who predicted when she left her home town 11 years ago, that she would reach the heights of her chosen profession. Nearly 500 people crowded into the hall, and some of them had to be accommodated on the stage behind and at either side of the artist. Throughout the concert Miss Lawrence was showered with floral tributes.

During the day Miss Lawrence visited the house in which she lived before she left Winchelsea to study in Melbourne, and walked round the garden with her brother, Percy, who has been abroad with her as her business manager. A stream of visitors called at the home of Mrs. E. L. Batson, with whom she is staying, but in preparation for her concert at night. Miss Lawrence spent the afternoon resting.

A tremendous ovation, culminating in three rousing cheers, greeted the singer as she appeared on the platform for her first item, a bracket of Schubert songs, which included “The Almighty”, “The Young Poet” and “Impatience”. From the opening of the accompaniment, played by Felix Wolfes, Miss Lawrence’s own accompanist, tho audience grew still, listening to the magnificent voice of one of the world’s greatest dramatic sopranos. At the conclusion of each number in the bracket the applause would not allow the artist to continue for some time, and bouquets were presented at each burst of applause.

As an encore Miss Lawrence sang “My Ain Folk” in a voice filled with emotion. Miss Lawrence’s outstanding item was Brunnhilde’s final scene from “Gotter-dammerung”. Before singing it she said; “I especially want you to hear this, because it was in this opera that I have had my greatest success in every country. I hope you too will like it”. As she sang the reason for her success in opera was obvious, for she completely forgot her audience, and lived the part she was singing. As an encore she sang Danny Boy. In the second half of the programme Miss Lawrence sang national and folk songs. Including “Doun the Burn” “Annie Laurie”. “Home, Sweet Home” was given as an encore, and there was an appreciable pause before the applause commenced when she had finished, the audience not seeming to wish to break the spell her voice had woven.

The assisting artist, Alfredo Luizzi also received a great reception, particularly in The Green-Eyed Dragon and Old Simon the Cellarer. He will assist Miss Lawrence in her 13 weeks' concert tour of, the eastern States. At the conclusion of the concert many of the audience filed past Miss Lawrence and congratulated her, on her success. The ordinary booking for the season of concerts by Miss Lawrence will open at Allan’s this morning at 9 o'clock. At her opening concert on Thursday night Miss Lawrence . will sing Gluck’s “Ana Divinite du Styx”, a group of Schubert songs and a number of Russian and English songs as well as operatic excerpts. The associate artists will be Alfredo Luizzi, popular young baritone, and Felix Woifes, who will act as accompanist. Concerts will also be given on Saturday, June 24; Tuesday, June 27; Thursday, June 29, and Saturday, July 1 – NOTE* The Globe Theatre Winchelsea was built by the father of MARJORIE LAWRENCE, (W. Lawrence) in which she was a co-owner - Contributed by Greg Lynch –