FROM COAL MINE TO OPERA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 10, 7 October 1918, Page 7

FROM COAL MINE TO OPERA

IRISH TENOR'SJ'ROGEESS, Thero is romance in tho . story of Thomas Burke, a young Irish tenor, who has won operatic laurels in Italy. Burke was brought up as a miner in a Lancashire coal-pit. As a lad ho sang in the choir of (he Roman Catholic Church near his home, and there received the rudiments of a musical education.

Just before the war ho was brought to London, and was "discovered" by a well-to-do tradesman in the Bond Street district. "A few months before the commencement of hostilities," he- said, "I heard Air. Burke singing at a concertin London. '1 had already known of him in Lancashire. After hearing him in London I felt more than ever convinced that ho had a great future before him, provided ho wero given opportunities of further study. I learned that ho had left Leigh in Lancashire and come to London on the understanding that he was to bo sent abroad to be trained. This . project had, fallen through, so J decided to undertake the responsibility fo,- his musical education myself.

"I sent Mr. Burke to Italy in November, 1911, and he has more than justified my wildest dreams. In February of tins year li-» mode his debut in Milan where he scored an instantaneous success. Since then he has appeared at Naples and Palermo in 'Cavallorin Rusticana' and 'Rigoletlo.' The Italian public has taken him to its heart. He lias been offered great financial indue*ments to remain, but lie felt that he must come home.

"lie intends, in spile of being in a low medical 'category, lo place himself at the disposal of the National Service authorities.. However, as one of the. first Mulics,' he will travel lo Leigh and sing at a big concert for Hie local Red Cross fund and other charities, Ho also wants lo raise money for the Tied Cross in London, and for the Comforts Fund, of tho Irish regiments."