Sang Before Royal Family

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 24

Sang Before Royal Family

Frank Webster’s Melodious Career TENOR OF “POMPADOUR” HAS APPEARED IN MANY PARTS “My career . . . f” Frank Webster smiles reflec--When did it begin. Hugh?” he appeals to a young brother who has come in from the country. But for that young brother, Mr. Webster might never have paid a visit to New Zealand. Two years ago Hugh came out to the Dominion to learn farming, and when his brother Frank received an offer from J. C. Williamson to tour it was the thought of seeing Hugh which settled the contract. Frank Webster scarcely remembers when his stage career began. As a tiny lad his voice showed great promise, and he simply went on from the choir to the choral society, the choral society to musical comedy, and from musical comedy to grand opera. It has been a record of melody and world travel, and he can still write “To be continued in our next” to each, succeeding performance. Frank Webster was born In the

lovely Devonshire town of Exmouth. As a youth he won a scholarship which took him to tlje Royal College of Music, where the early promise of a fine voice was fulfilled. He sang in the choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, and for the Royal Choral Society, before his thoughts turned to a stage career. In 1914 he joined the army and gave up serious singing except to amuse his companions in the trenches. Back in England, he joined the D’Oyly Carte Company, and sang the tenor roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. His next engagement was with the Beecham Grand Opera Company, In which many New Zealanders who were in London at that time saw him Two of his biggest successes were as Rudclpho in “La Boheme,” and Radames in “Alda,” though he sang other tenor roles for the whole of the season. Next came an offer to go to America, and for two years Mr. Webster played in “The Merry Widow" at the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York. Lydia Lipkovska, who toured New Zealand some vears ago on the concert platform. was the Sonia of that revival. Back in London, wearing his laurels of the New York season, Mr. Webster accepted an engagement to play In “The Merry Widow” again. George Graves was in the cast. During the season Mr. Webster sang the tenor role of “Elijah” at the Albert Hall in the afternoon, and “The Merry Widow” in the evening. A revival of “Katinka” followed, and then a tour of the provinces. At one time and another Mr. Webster has sung for every choral society in England, but he has many other claims to fame.

He was the first singer who ever tried to broadcast from the air. Two years ago Mr. Webster was taken aloft in a machine, and when 10,000 feet above London he sang “Onaway, Awake,” from “Hiawatha,” into a microphone which, packed in wadding, he clutched in one hand. The experiment was interesting and exciting, and Mr. Webster was the first man in the world ever to attempt it. Once, in the presence of the King and Queen, members of the Royal family, and over 200 guests, Mr. Webster sang at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland.

The Princess Royal had heard him singing in “Aida,” and was .so impressed with his voice that she called him to the Royal box. Later he was commanded to appear at her residence, Marr Lodge, where he sang to the Princess Royal and Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught. Later came the command to appear at Balmoral Castle, where King George and Queen Mary were in residence for the shooting season. The Duke of York and Princess Mary, as she was then, were in the party. Mr. Webster spent about half an hour talking with the princess, and when he went to America and told the newspaper men of his experience the papers came out with.headlines about hints of a Royal romance with a singer.”

One of the most lovely and spectacular shows in which Mr. Webster has appeared was the performance of “Hiawatha” at the Albert Hall, London. He sang the role of Chibbabos. There was a full choir of 1,000 voices, and the stage setting was a thing of unrivalled beauty. The background was <3 series of cascades, and the costumes were all true to style. “Mr. Webster, please!” yells the callboy outside his dressing room in His Majesty’s Theatre, Yes, he is enjoying his trip, thank you very much. Next week, from the six-handicap mark, he will give his opinion of the links at Middlemore,