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From: Tom & Libby Luke <>
Subject: Re: AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-D Digest V00 #286
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 22:16:50 +1000
In-Reply-To: <200009260534.e8Q5Y7110919@lists5.rootsweb.com>


At 22:34 25/09/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Raymond W.M. Henderson" <>
>To: <>
>Sent: Monday, September 25, 2000 6:29 AM
>Subject: CASTLES The opera SINGER / Melba Period
>
>
> > Would anyone one the list know of an Opera star during the time MELBA
> > sometimes said to be even better than MELBA her self
> > She was know to have been the First to sing Madame Butterfly at Covent
> > Garden
> > for which she was presented with a RUBY diamond and filigree butterfly
> > broach.
> > Any information would be very much appreciated?
> >
> > Raymond Henderson.
>
>
>Dear Raymond
>
>I think the Castles you are asking of is Amy.
>
>Amy Castles a Bendigo singer was still in her teens when she left Bendigo in
>August 1899 to study in Paris. Many competent judges declared that she
>possessed a soprano voice of rare quality.
>
>Edward Allen Bindley, of the Bendigo Conservatorium of Music was the
>inspiration - he was a gifted teacher with a talent for discovering
>outstanding voices.
>
>Amy Castles was his most celebrated discovery.
>
>She possessed a voice of extraordinary beauty and became a singer in Europe,
>had several great seasons to her credit before she could legally sign the
>contracts that brought her fame and fortune.
>
>She sang in most of Europes great opera houses and was a special favorite
>of the German audiences. For several seasons she sang under contract to the
>Imperial Opera in Vienna. Australian audiences knew her best as prima donna
>of the J C Williamson Grand Opera Co of 1919.
>
>
>Hope this is helpful.
>Betty Jackman
>President Bendigo Reg Gen Soc Inc.

Hello Raymond and Betty,
Whilst on a holiday in my old home town of Bendigo (The Golden City) two
years ago we stayed at the famous Shamrock Hotel in the "Amy Castles
Suite". Very nice.
They had photographs of her and her life story on the walls.
Just a little bit of Trivia.
Nice to hear from you Betty.
Regards...Tom Luke.



,-._|\ Tom & Libby Luke
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