Singing Their Way Through a Honeymoon

Radio Record, Volume IX, Issue 15, 18 October 1935, Page 12

Singing Their Way Through a

Honeymoon

Heather Kinnaird and. Raymond Beatty a Harmonious Pair of Broadcasters

LTHOUGH they’ve been "Mr. and Mrs." since the middle of August, Raymond Beatty and Heather Kinnaird are still. on their honeymoon, making a tour of the New Zealand | ‘Broadcasting Board’s main stations. What’s more, they are keeping the honeymoon idea going right up to the time they sail by the Wanganella in a few . weeks from Auckland. Im fact, they were as much a honeymoon couple as a pair of distinguished artists when a "Radio Record" representative spotted them while they were in Wellington last week. Both of them have been received warmly by broadcast listeners during their seasons at various stations in New Zealand. Heather Kinnaird (artistic people like to keep up the illusion of single blessedness) is giving us a generous helping: of her splendid contralto-voice, and’ her husband’s bass-baritone is -being heard for the second occasion of a Dominion tour, for he was here last year. Together the two are doing beautiful work in duets. To judge by the happiness of. their natures, the harmony oftheir broadcast work is maintained in their life away from the studios. ' "In fact, we get on perfectly ‘together, for now we’re married we can tell each other when our work in rehearsals is not up to the mark," said Mrs. Beatty with a sly wink. . "We can tell each other just what we think, instend of saying a piece is well sung when it isn’t. I mean, we don’t have to be so polite about it." I cocked an eyebrow at Mr. Beatty. "Oh, yes, it really does help," he said with a grin-not quite a:blush. Then he'added without a suggestion of uxoriousness, "Of course, Heather doesn’t need much correction, because her singing is just right"Well, if I say the same about you, I mean it," interrupted the other half of the bargain. "But there are, always little errors that we can correct in our singing. and we are always trying to improve ourselves. That’s why it’s so wonderful. to be married. to someone with the same interests as yourself, No, the so-called artistic temperament hasn’t crept into our honeymoon yet. We've been too busy enjoying the whole tour." "You don’t mind working on your honeymoon?" "It*doesn’t even seem like work when

you’re-.so-;fond of\music and: singing," replied: Mrs; Beatty: with- perfect -sincerity. These two people,.from their account of it-all, seem. to. have the: capacity . for making their New Zealand "trip" as much a holiday- as. .a: ‘broadcast: tour. They: are frankly ‘enthusiastic. about New. Zealand.’ "We had a marvellous -all-day. ‘flight from. Dunedin. when"'we were. ‘down there," .sai@Mr,- Beatty. | "It was pérfect: flying weather, and: stopped: for a while-at Cromwell"And. what .a-lark," put .in Mrs. Beatty, laughing at ‘the memory ;.""when we arrived :there: was’ no. suitable .conveyance,.so. we all .rode.:two' miles: to the town: in ‘the petrol: wagon." The pair were most enthusiastic . about. the’ trip over Lakes Hawea, Wanaka, Te Anau.and. Manapouri to. . Mount. Aspiring, "the -most:perfect view | you could ever wish to:see." © ‘They.~ landed again in: Dunedin-.at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Beatty considered: the:scenery comparable with that:of the-Rocky Mountains, through which ‘he. had ° passed on his way back from. England, Before they: leave :by the ‘Wanganella_ Mr, and: Mrs. ‘Beatty /intend. to..spend. several days:in, the: Rotorua ‘district.an entirely new :experience’.for both of « them, Then‘ their’ honeymoon: will: be over. "During our,: southern tour I have been. described: as-:a:- ‘base-baritone" 00 two .ccasions,": Mr, "Beatty: mentioned ‘ with’.a. twinkle. "But\Heather* knows it. was: a-mistake." "Oh ‘well, I "haven't -found hiin;-out: | vet, but I do hope nobody took it sericusly," the: young -wife smiled. When they return to their ' native ‘ Australia, Mr. and* Mis, ‘Beatty, are. going to-set-up: home (already.-purchased. and furnished) and keep:right: on-sing-. .

ing. .It+was:in-Sydney that they first met, .more:than’ ten years. ago, when -Miss- Kinnaird. won the ‘ Salonola Scholarship and Mr, Beatty was. run-ner-up. Thereafter they-did their first ‘recital together ‘and their first — oratorio, . after study under Mr. Roland ‘Foster. In 1981 Raymond Beatty went ‘to- England for two and a half years to:.continue:. his studies, and on ‘his return: was in great demand: for concert .and broadcasting work in all the eastern: States of the Commonwealth. -When- he returns’ from the ‘present New Zealand tour he will go into’ rehearsals for ‘opera. in. associa-tion:-with. Florence -Austral. and: other visiting singers. Miss Kinnaird’s career. has ‘literally gone ‘hand-in-hand. with Mr. Beatty’s, for they’ have been heard in joint recitals* for some years across: the Tasman.: Dame Clara Butt had’ predicted a successful future for’ the young girl -Miss Kinnaird had barely reached her; majority ~ when she gave | her first recital. One-of-the most interesting oceasions of: her life’ was-not long-ago when-she was: asked‘ at short notice to sing "Die | Junge, Magg," a difficult song’by Hindemith, in:a Sydney Conservatorium: recital * ‘by. Percy: Grainger, ‘who also ‘arrived in- New:Zealand ‘last week. After her . performance the famous — pianist said: that. he- could‘ teach her ‘nothing about: lieder, to: judge: by»that- recital. "Mrs,. "Beatty: .related an’. anecdote which? illustrates .to:some extent Percy Grainger’s! ‘philosophy: -On: one occa‘gionhe*had’ told’ ber that: "no -human being: is worth: a cracker: ‘ules they've ih, pit: ‘of evil in them." — "Then you'd. rather spend’ an .afternoon ‘at Parramatta’ Gaol -than .at a tea, party?" ‘inquired ‘the:: "contralto. : "Most: decidediy," ‘the: pianist-replied.