LAWRENCE TIBBETT

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20504, 21 May 1938, Page 17 (Supplement)

LAWRENCE TIBBETT

SINGS SONG FOR OLD LADY INCIDENT AT SYDNEY CONCERT Thousands of necks craned forward at the Town Hall last night to catch a better glimpse of a singer, whose screen appearance have made feminine hearts flutter, says the Sydney SunBut it was an elderly lady in the organ gallery, with youth and beauty on either side of her, who caught Lawrence Tibbett’s eye. As he walked past her to leave the stage at the conclusion of a number she put her hand to her face and whispered to him. He whispered in reply and the lady beamed. Returning, Tibbett announced, “Prologue to ‘Pagliacci,’ by special request.” Applause In Wrong Plaoe When applause came in the wrong place the elderly lady turned and waved a warning finger to those behind her. It was her number and she knew her music. Tibbelt soon set at ease those who had made a mistake, and showed that an audience can be right, even when it is wrong. Returning for another encore, he said almost apologetically: “Some people think It is a flaw when the audience applauds In the wrong place. Personally, I think It was the right place. The applause came at the end of the beautiful aria, and the rest does not matter. I have often thought of cutting It out.” It was typical of the man and the charm that has won Sydney. From the moment he walked on the stage, smiling and characteristically moistening his lips, Tibbett’s listeners felt that he was not merely an artist, but a friend. Film Work For Nothing Before singing the negro spiritual, “De Hallelujah Rhythm,” Tibbett explained that it had been written specially for his appearance in the film, “Under Your Spell.” “It was a case of the ‘voice on the cutting-room floor,' ” he said with a smile. “I rather liked the song, but apparently they didn't, because it wasn’t in the film.” Tibbett’s smile is infectious; he has a mood and sympathetic treatment for every song. His audience was loth to let him go.