CLARA BUTT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2092, 18 January 1908, Page 3 (Supplement)

CLARA BUTT.

• ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND. AH INTERESTING INTERVIEW. (N. Z. "Herald” January 13.)

Of -imposing presence, tali, and erect of carnage, (Madame- Clara ILitt would 'attract attention in -.my gathering of people. It was easy enough to single her out- from amongst- the passengers who arrived by the Victoria from Sydney last night. A pair of eloquent, dark eyes, shaded beneath the turned-down brim ot a floraljy-trimmed straw hat, lit up a genial’, good-natured and essentially womanly face as a “Herald” representative aopro.iclied. Bevon-d a mere -intimation is to the nature of hi:; business, made to Mr Kennerley Romford, Alad-anie'es husband, who was in close attendance upon her, the pressman found there was no need of formal introduction. The dark eyes may have worn a tired expression for the fraction of a second, indicating a wish that interviews -and interviewers might cease to be one of the cares of a great artiste, but the vexation—if it ever seriously exic'.rd —swiftly passed away, and Aladame quite readily and courteously consented to converse.

Both Madame Clara Butt and‘her husband were loud in their praises of' Auckland's, beautiful harbor. “It has been delightful all day,” raid the famous contralto; “really glorious scenery all down the coast. We -ire looking forward with eyes open,” she added expressively, “to teeing New Zealand. We could not think of going away without visiting your wondei lands, of which we have heard so much.” Further conversation revealed the fact that both artists had a conscientious anxiety, 'about the condition of their voices. “We shall have to work hard,” remarked Mr Rumford, with an earnestness that seems to be characteristic with him, “to get ready lor to-morrow night,” “Yes,” said his gifted wife, “it lias been awkward on this trip, No piano on board 1 , you see. I know,” with sudden alacrity as a merry -twinKle invaded those speaking eyes of hers, banishing for the moment all s’gns of natural fatigue which the tcxl.ous ending, of the trip from Sydney had created, “1 know. We will have to practise in the cab on the wa- to the hotel.” This jocular suggestion reminded Madame of a story—a story against herself in that it showed that her singing on one -occasion at least failed to arouse enthusiasm. Nevertheless, she related it with great gusto. “1 was driving in a country lane onee,” she s«id/ “and st-arted to sing. For a time nothing happened. Then, ■as I went- on exercising my voice,' the horse stopped and looked round. The coachman thereupon bent do.wn to me and said, ‘Stop that, please.’ He didn’t say is very nicely either; he was rather rude,” and the great contralto, whose voice lias charmed its tens of thousands of hearers, laughed with much heartiness at the reminiscence.

There are formal ties that voyagers have to go through, amongst them being such matters as. medical inspection .and Customs examination ,-i luggage. Madame Butt was palpably not over-charmed with either process, and was relieved when they were over. A passing reference to the .subject showed her in another phase, after which she evinced quite an eagerness to know how the test match was going. Both .Madame and Air Rumfoid are enthusiastic followers of the gime. “They wahted me to play at Bendigo.” the latter remarked. [ wish I had had the time. Oh, yes. i nhiy. for the M.C.C. at Home.” .Madame openly professed a..sincere liking tor all field games and sports, and for riding. On the subject of herself, Madame Butt was reticent. She confessed to a desire to become acquainted with New Zealand audiences, not inimixed with anxiety to find out for herself whether they are “warm” tor “eo'd.” As to her art, she said that if she had • i preference it- was for sacred music. She greatly enjoyed singing operatic arias. “Oil. but I love the song I am singing.” -..he declared, "mv soul is in what I sing.” Her repertoire whilst ill .New Zealand would be rans’Vrkcd for numbers to appeal to a variety of tastes, and her programmes would'contain some of the simple old s ings so beloved of the people. Both Madame and Alt’ Kumford were full if the manner of their reception in Australia. “The people used to stand up and cheer, \v iving h ;l ts and handle ; Idols and even chairs,” said the

g at contralto. “Sometimes, too. v b-ive rushed inv carriage •after ~ ’ui a rt. But that is dangerous, (i:,.. . i mail iv is thrown under the <-aniage in such a .rush,'.’ and a de-pi.-.-uling nolo .sounded in the rich, low vo’cc'.

-Maternal 'affection forms a strong part of Aladame Butt's person alt v. It was with a tender inflection and. softened eyes that she spoke of her children. “We considered the question of bringing them with us for a

long time,” she said, “hut filially deed!', d (lull it would be wiser to leave them in Sydney. Had we brought them we should have had to leuvo them behind somewhere, ami in (Sydney they have a. nice home and are very happy. Besides they are so young to travel —Roy, the eldest, is onlv six.” A 1 adamo had not come into contact with any New Zealand artists prior to leaving the Old Country. In Australia she had heard some vorv promising voices, and remarked that several Australians had been getting on well in England. Speaking ot the new singer, Tetrazzini, who has created such a sensation ill Ixmdon. Aladame Butt said she had- not heard her yet. There was no doubt hut that her voice must be something l'-he-nomenul. .“They do not go. mad liko that- in London over nothing,” she remarked. As to why.the new singer had remained so long in obscurity. ~o far as England was concerned, i-ho supposed it was because ot a contract which had kept her in her own country. Tetrazzini’s elder sister,

die said, -had also a fir,/; voice. Aladame Butt-and her husband •< redue back in London in June, when thev give a concert at the Albert Hail. Their New Zealand tour ;n necessarily a briel one. as Australia lias to be‘revisited on the return trip.