EDNA THOMAS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1925, Page 3

EDNA THOMAS

i'll IXI K.-S THEATRE. WEDNESDAY “I want everybody to hear Film Tin.mas. she has a beautiful mezz: von e, rich and well trained- hers i: the alt that conceals art." This is the iharity '.inert given hi.-1 year to tin message that Melba telegraphed to the i'i ■ ■:-- it Sydney on tin- eve of th* widow of the late Mr Gridin Foley Sydney’s well-known musical critic Melba "as to have given her gift ol song, hut bronchial trouble intervened so --lie eked Edna Thomas to take bet phu e. Too ill t.i attend the (om-vrt. the diva ‘ listened in” and heard some of the tumult of a; [dame that Miss Thomas's | crlormanee called forth. And the Sydney public responded to tin- great singer’s wi-h. iur the lady from Louisiana broke all records in that rite by giving fourteen recitals at the Adyar Hal! in six weeks. M-lha lias always been a devoted admirer of the art of Edna Thomas. Two yon IT ago. when the southern girl was lit rage of London. Melba telephoned bet and asked if she would teach her how to sing the fas mating spirituals. “But I lame .Melba.” protested Edna Thomas

“you are the lirst great, singer that I have ever heard I don’t feel that I could teach you anything I” ‘‘Teach me as quickly as you can and lie just as linn with me as you would be with a n ivne.” was .Melba's characteristic reply. so to-, ordinglv the lessens were given. When .Miss Thomas was in .Melbourne last season she renewed her friendship with .Mi-Ilia, and stayed for a time at -Melba's lovely old l.olyvale home. “Coumhe Cottage". It. is good news for theatre goers in Hokitika that Edna T'homts is to give one of her fuiiuuiN costume recitals at the Princess Theatre mi Wednesday next May 2,lth. It is very seldom that one is given an opportunity of hearing a World -ta rat t In- a) ex of her art. Then

again the feminine |ortion of the community will ho interested in Miss I humus's fas* mating old crinolines, an 1 the shawl that she wear; which belonged lo Jenny Lind. In association with the Lady from L-aui-iaua are Lucille Lawrence a brilliant American harpist, and Constance Piper, a clever American pianist. The box plan is at .Misses Mclntosh's.