MELBA'S GREAT WORK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2538, 12 August 1915, Page 3

MELBA'S GREAT WORK

During her visit to Australia, Madame Melba has done most strenuous work in the cause of patriotism, and has travelled from city to city placing her art at the call of her country.. Almost every war fund has been handsomely augmented by the proceeds of the Melba concerts, and the raising of over £30,000 in twelve months is a feat of which any woman might feel proud. It is perhaps'incongruous to paint tho work of tho talented artist in the jingling language of the purse, but during the last few months Madame Melba lias been unblushingly commercial, for it was for cash, and cash alone, that she warbled herself to exhaustion. The great singer reluctantly spoke of her work when interviewed by a "Star" representative, but somo figures she gave are significant of the business ability that has'been brought to bear upon her patriotic efforts. For the Belgian Fund she raised £6200. The British flag which now adorns the wall of the Melbourne Town Hall realised £2200 before it was finally knocked down. A ladies' flag for New South Wales brought £1200, and a further ensign, sold on behalf of the

fund for the suffering Poles, raised £1000. In concert receipts and subscriptions £14,000 was the golden harvest reaped by the efforts of Melba on behalf of the Poles. Figures are not commonly alluring reading, but the detailed results of- Madame Mclba's efforts will be appreciated by a patriotic community. ITer first concert in Melbourne realised £1487, and the, sccoiid ono £6250; the first concert in Sydney £1901, and tho second £7100, to which the Government of New South Wales added the sum of £6500. Her concert in Adelaide realised £1387; Ballarat, £900; Geelong, £1660; Healesville, £208; Lilydale, £248; and Melbourne, £3000, making a total of £30,000 odd. The expenses were approximately £1100. Speaking of the task that lies ahead of her, Madame Melba said that when she arrives in Canada she will bo the guest of Their Excellencies the Duks and Duchess of Connaught, and will combine her professional work with a series of Red Cross concerts. After her Canadian tour she will proceed to New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other big Americau centres, and will sing in opera, if she can get her costumes from Paris. After tho American season she returns to Australia.