AN ARTIST'S NATIONALITY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 303, 16 September 1920, Page 5

AN ARTIST'S NATIONALITY

JOHN M'CORMACK WA'NTS TO SING IN LONDON. (Rec. September 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 14. The newspapers publish a cablo message from John M'Cormack, singer, sayinjf that he wants to 6ing in London, because ho knows that British audiences will' receive him on his merits as an artist, Jor art knows no nationality, and does not shout a man .down because ho happens to be an American citizen.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TROUBLE ABOUT THE NATIONAL . ANTHEM.' (Rec. September 15, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, September 15. Tho cable message from London in reference to John M'Cormack is a sequel to his cancelling a concert in Adelaide fixed for last Saturday night, after a previous concert at which a section of the audience sang the National Anthem. Mr. M'Cormack declared that this was a studied affront, and an insinuation that ho refused to have the Anthem sung or played at his concerts. He explained that it was never performed at recitals, except when vice-regalities wcro present. Various members of the community, _he said, had been violently antagonistic to him, on account of his American citizenship, and were determimed to make his stay in Adelaide miserable. They were not inspired by patriotic feeling. He was proud to bo an American citizen, as ho was proud to have been born in Ireland. During Mr. If/Connnck's Sydney season, prior to visiting Adelaide, considerable feeling wc; shown over the absonco of the Anthem at somo of the concerts.—Press Assn.