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Glena,
Booterstown,
Dublin.
April 17th 45
My Dear Father Seram
Which of the third of the third I have made a kind of whole I would like to write about success. I enclose it.
I have arrived every time serious. I have tried to make it hardly personal.
I understand Father Ready is forming to write an article about the Lappelmeister & Brem. Vincent Bridled at the idea of Lappelmeister and wondered what Denny would think of the Serman disgration.
Perhaps Dick Malcath might see the Egypt to Sargentia sticking out. " It is a fragrance place!! Well for note for me for the exident.
Perhaps I shall love you for your study of the Serman.

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DEATH OF JOHN COUNT
McCORMACK
Eve Mail 17.9.45
JOHN COUNT McCORMACK died at his residence, Glena, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, last night. His last illness began only this day week. He developed bronchial pneumonia on Friday, and Countess McCormack and his son, Cyril, a Captain in the Defence Forces of this country, were with him when he died.
He had recovered from a serious illness about 18 months ago, and in latter years had devoted himself almost exclusively to the advancement of musical culture in Ireland.
His last recorded social appearance took place just four weeks ago, on Sunday, August 19, when he met the Committee on Appropriations from the United States house of Representatives on their visit to this country. The Chalrman, Congressman Louis O. Rabaut, of Michigan, asked him to sing.
Count McCormack smiled and said: "I would prefer to be accompanist," and, accordingly, he played the piano for Mr. Rabaut while the latter sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."
The career of Count McCormack is so much a part of contemporary life as to render the telling of it superfluous. With Caruso he was the greatest singer in the world. The exceptional sweetness of his glorious tenor voice charmed two hemispheres.
Underneath the facade of the world famous tenor, however, there was the strong lovable personality of a human and sympathetic soul. Of him, his own son said that he was (to him) a mixture of small boy and grown intelligent man and that his mother (the Countess) used to say that she had two troublesome boys to deal with and that the elder was the worse of the two!
Of the many tributes that were paid him during life, few meant more to him than those spoken by his great Dublin tutor,
Dr. Vincent O'Brien. Indeed, the name of McCormack and O'Brien will always be coupled wherever great music is discussed. Throughout the records of the Count's career is discernible, like a golden vein, the
The late Count McCormack. A picture taken when he was at the height of his fame.
sustained appreciation of the man who first opened to the singer the door of world fame.
THE "MCCORMACK QUALITY."
Many times Dr. O'Brien spoke of that great voice of which he said on one occasion that he had never heard another with "that beautiful timbre which all recognised as the McCormack quality."
Other Irish musical authorities were no less generous in their joyout praise of the great master. Dr. Larchet declared that the hall-mark of perfection was on everything he sang, and the epitome of the singer and the man may be found in the words of Miss Margaret Burke Sheridan who states:—"He sang Ireland's joys and sorrows as nobody ever did, or probably ever will."
He indicated the thoroughness of his character in other spheres as well as music. He spoke fluent Italian after nine months' study in Italy, helped, authorities held, by his sound knowledge of Latin.
That he learned in Summerhill College, Silgo, where, once, caught out by a professor singing when he should have been at class, he was ordered back sternly with the words, "Your knowledge of Latin will be of more advantage to you in after life than your knowledge of singing." The professor had only made a mistake in degree!
Although Count McCormack belonged to the world, he was outstandingly Irish. He loved Ireland intensely and was always to the fore to honour his native land and further her interests. One instance of his devotion was shown in 1924 when he acted as hon. president of the Australian Section of the Tailteam Games and afterwards gave a concert which netted a clear £1,000 for the funds of the Games.
When he returned to Ireland on September 30, 1938, for his farewell Irish tour he said to an "Evening Mail" representative, who had asked him where he proposed to settle down, "Where do you think? We shall settle down in this country, which, after all, is the best that I have met in all my travels."

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DEATH OF JOHN COUNT
McCORMACK
I.P. 17.9.45
JOHN COUNT McCORMACK, world-famous Irish tenor, died last night at about 11.30 p.m. at his residence at Booterstown, Dublin, aged 61. His death was due to complications following a chill which he got on Tuesday. Countess McCormack and his son, Captain Cyril McCormack, were at his bedside. For some years Count McCormack had been in bad health.
Endowed with a fine tenor voice of fascinating beauty, McCormack also possessed great musical gifts and the finest sensibility. His artistry has often been described as that of a master musician playing on the most exquisite of instruments. His diction was perfect.
At the height of his fame as a concert artist he used to sing in large halls to vast audiences, yet his softest syllable could always be clearly heard.
His largest audience—of about a million—was at the Pontifical High Mass in the Phoenix Park on the closing day of the International Eucharistic Congress in 1932, when he sang Cesar Franck's "Panis Angelicus."
Great Singer's Career
Count McCormack was born in June, 1884, at Athlone, where his father worked in the woollen mills.
His first stage appearance was at one of the annual concerts of Summerhill College, Sligo, where he was educated. Afterwards he was in great demand at local concerts and won the hearts of audiences in Sligo and Athlone.
He began to think of the stage, but his parents scorned the idea, and so he was sent to Dublin to take an examination for a scholarship in the Royal College of Science.
He settled down to his studies, and while in Dublin abandoned the stage. Then back home one day he sat at the piano accompanying himself to one of his favourite ditties, and a local doctor entered the room. "Don't stop," said he, as McCormack. "Begin it all over from the piano." "Begin it all over again, and let me hear it all." When the song was finished the doctor said: "I'm going to get Vincent O'Brien to hear you sing."
Dr. O'Brien was then acknowledged leader of Dublin's musical life. When he heard McCormack sing "Then You'll Remember Me"
from the "Bohemian Girl," he exclaimed: "Young man, there is a fortune in that voice. Don't dream of being anything but a singer."
McCormack should become a member of Dr. O'Brien's choir at the Pro-Cathedral, Dr. O'Brien gave him intense private tuition.
A few months later, when he was little more than 17, McCormack was persuaded by O'Brien to compete in the Feis Ceoll. One critic said that he "meted" an audience of critics, and walked away with the gold medal.
News of the new star spread through the country, and in Dublin a number of friends organised a series of concerts with the object of getting funds to enable him to take instruction in Italy.
For two and a half years he studied in Milan under the famous master, Sabatini, in whom he found an understanding and sympathetic master.
Afterwards Sabatini said that he was prouder of McCormack than of any other singer who had come under his tuition. "His is the nearest approach to the perfect method of voice production."
His American debut took place at the Manhattan Opera House, New York, in "Traviata" in 1909. After that he got operatic engagements at Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and London and in Italy.
With Melba he toured Australia in Italian opera in 1911, the U.S. in concerts in 1912 and Australia in concerts in 1913; returning to London after a circuit of 75,000 miles, in the course of which he had invented 110 concerts.
His repertoire included the leading tenor roles in "La Boheme," Mme. Butterfly," "Faust," "Don Giovanni," "Traviata," "Lakme," "Fille du Regiment," "Rigoletto," etc., and French, Italian and English art songs, but he was at his best in Irish ballads and folk songs.
In 1919 he became a naturalised American. For his "munificent generosity and the Nolew Cause," he was given the title of Count by the Pope in 1928. He was already a Knight Commander of the Papal Orders of St. Gregory and St. Sylvester and a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
In 1930 McCormack, who was said to have an annual income of £200,000 from gramophone records, stated that he did not want to appear again in opera. When he sang at the Albert Hall, London, in April, 1932, to celebrate his death, he had a tremendous ovation. The audience refused to let him go and he had to sing 27 songs. He is said to have received £100,000 for his
work in "Song of My Heart," his first film, produced in 1930.
He first met his wife, Lily Foley, the singer, when they were both waiting at Broadstone Station, Dublin, for a train to them to a Bligo concert.
The freedom of Dublin was conferred on him in 1923. His farewell concert was given in the Theatre Royal, Dublin, on October 9, 1938.
He had numerous successes on the Irish Turf, and paid £20,000 for the racchorse, Cragadour.
Appreciations
"He sang Ireland's joys and sorrows as nobody ever did, or probably ever will," said Miss Magaret Burke Sheridan when she heard of Count McCormack's death last night.
She said he was regarded, and rightly so, as the greatest lieder singer in the world.
Professor Dr. Larchet said last night that Count McCormack was one of the greatest singers who ever lived and he was a great ambassador for this country.
"It is sad to think that he should die at such a comparatively early age."
"He was one of the greatest singers of the time. There were nobody than John's but there was nobody greater in interpretive powers."
"He was a master of diction and the largest hall quite plainly."
"No matter where he went he made a point of singing Irish songs and he famous."
When informed of the death of Count McCormack, Prof. Larchet said: "It is really a calamity at the present time, because John has often discussed with me to do some schemes he had in mind to make great achievements in this country."
"Only quite recently he had discussed these schemes with me and he was anxious to do all he could to help young singers to success."
"It is a pity he is gone now, because he will never be able to implement his schemes."
Close-up view of the clipper after arrival at Rineanna vesterday.

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John
McCormack
11. 18. 9. 45
AN
APPRECIATION
By His Friend And
Teacher
DR. VINCENT
O'BRIEN
Dr. Vincent O'Brien.
on the final Sunday of the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin."
ONE AMBITION.
What were the qualities which gave our singer pre-eminence in the vocal world? They had the diversity of the kaleidoscope as well as its brilliance, mental and moral stature, an artist's blend of temper and temperament, steadfastness in friendship, forgiveness in dislikes, and an understanding love of the fine arts.
His one ambition, outside his life work, was that, some time in the de-orescendo of his days, he might have been invited to accent a portfolio for Culture in the ranks of Government representatives.
Let me recall also his tone of exquisite quality which remained in the listener's memory, like a beautiful poetic thought. Masterly use of this gift was made by John Count McCormack in a gamut of vocal idiom which extended from the complexities of Bach to the simplicities of Moore. His command of dynamic in the upper reaches of vocal endeavour has never been equalled, according to expert opinion, and is likely to remain unsurpassed.
An equipped inquirer in other branches, McCormack could, when occasion demanded, discuss questions of rhythm or interpretation of the musical classics with the authority of a Toscannini, a Kreisler, or a Rachmaninov.
Ireland to-day laments the departure of one of her most distinguished sons, one who sang the joys the sorrows, and the hopes of the Motherland in the ear of a listening world.
"If the pulse of the patriot soldier or lover has throbbed at his lay," it will be their duty to remember John in the way he himself would have dearly wished—by a prayer to the Giver of all good gifts that he may find that Pax Del, which he himself so often brought to troubled hearts the world over with the gentle message of his song. "Go sleep with the sunshine of fame on thy slumber."
surmised that there were many moments of greatness in John Count McCormack's career. He himself was heard on occasions to say that "the most thrilling and greatest event in my life was the occasion when it was my privilege to stand before the High Altar and sing 'Panis Angelicus'
WORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY
HUNDREDS of messages of sympathy on the death of John Count McCormack were received yesterday at his home in Booterstown, where the world-famous tenor lay in state in the colourful full-dress uniform of a Papal Count. On his breast were Papal decorations, while his sword lay by his side on the bler. The remains were removed in the evening to the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown, and the funeral to Dean's Grange Cemetery will take place after 10 o'clock Mass to-day.
The late Count was a Magistral Knight in the Association of Magistral Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the U.S.A.
Messages were received from—President O'Kelly; the Papal Nunclo, Most Rev. Dr. Paschal Robinson; the Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev. Dr. McQuaid; the Italian Minister, Baron Confaloneiri; Sir John Maffey, British Representative in Ireland.
Callers to the house prior to the removal of the remains included:—Mr. de Valera, Mr. and Mrs. MacEntee, Mr. and Mrs. Aiken, Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, Mr. J. D. Kearney High Commissioner for Canada, and Mrs. Kearney; Mrs. D. Gray, wife of the U.S. Minister; Mr. Christopher Lynch, the young Irish tenor; Dr. J. F. Larchet, Commissioner M. J. Kinnane, Mr. J. J. Walsh, Mrs. P. J. Keogh.
One of the first messages of sympathy to arrive was from Dorothy Caruso, New Jersey, widow of the famed Italian singer, Enrico Caruso. Her cable read:—"No one in this world understands how you feel to might better than I do. I wish I could be with you. My heart yearns for you." Her daughter, Gioria Caruso Murray, also cabled sympathy.
Messages from America included cables from two of his former
accompanists, Teddy Schneider and Gerald Moore, as well as one from Elice Torrens, Los Angeles, wife of Ernest Torrens.
Sympathy was also cabled by Alan Murray Nairn, author of "I'll Walk Beside You," one of Count McCormack's favourite songs.
Following also sent messages: Dr. Vincent O'Brien and family, Lord and Lady Adare, Rev. Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap., Dublin; the family of the late Walter McNally, Maureen O'Sullivan and John Farrow, Holywood; Commdt. J. Doyle, Capt. M. McQuaid, Mr. J. O'Sheehan, Mr. Joseph O'Mara, Limerick; the Ursuline Sisters, Thurles.
The Marquis of Ormond, Col. Hugh Owen, Mayfair; Dublin Grand Opera Society; Dermot Browner, Dublin; Gaiety Theatre, do.; Lady Headford, Ald. P. S. Doyle, Lord Mayor; Mr. Sean Brady, T.D.; Rev. Father Shanley, New York; Kitty and Alexander McGregor, Glasgow; the Hugh Maguire Committee, Dun Laoghaire; Mr. Joseph O'Reilly, University Church, Dublin; Right Rev. Monsignor Ryan, Queen's University, Belfast; Maestro Viani, Dublin.
Mr. John Bourke, Galway; Mr. Eamonn O'Neill, Lens Cheann-Comhairle, and Mrs. O'Neill; the priests of airle, and Mrs. O'Neill; the priests of the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin; Mr. M. Beary, Shrewton; Mrs. french-Davis, Dublin; Lady Ravensdale, Kilkenny; Mrs. Davin and Miss M. Davin; Miss Jeanne Reddin, F. J. McCormack and Elleen Crowe; Miss May Craig.
very Rev. M. Kennedy, C.S.Sp., President, Blackcrock College; Rev. Sydney MacEwen (the noted Scottish tenor); Mr. Cecil Lavery, K.C., and Mrs. Lavery; Mr. Michael Bowles and Mrs. Bowles; Dr. M. Russell, M.O.H., and Mrs. Russell, Dublin; Charlie and Maureen Grattan-Bellow; Mr. Llam Burke, Secretary, Fine Gael; Dr. K. and Mrs. MacCormack; Michael MacLinnmore and Hilton Edwards; Miss Jean Nolan, Miss Rita Lynch, Mrs. Agnes Harold and Miss M. Harold; Miss Eire O'Reilly.
IN the capitals of the world a knell will sound for the passing of one of the greatest men of this generation. The knowledge that John McCormack has departed from amongst us will arouse responsive echoes in the hearts of the admirers of his God-given gift.
Of musical effort in the Spring of our singer's career not much is known beyond the fact that he was attracted by his father's singing, especially of old Scottish songs. He was often heard to remark that "his father's fine tenor voice, given favourable conditions of wind and weather, could be heard in action on 'Flow Gently, Sweet Afton' or 'The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond' as far away as the famous bridge itself."
The only record of John's personal effort in these formative days is of his beautiful singing of the first Lamentation in Tenebrae. Years afterwards he was fond of acclaiming it one of the most beautiful melodies of all time, and certainly to hear him sing it was something to remember as approaching the ethereal in delivery of the Liturgical message.
THE FIRST STEP
John always held that the first step on the ladder of fame was taken on a memorable Sunday, when he attended at the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, for an audition, with a view to joining the choir. It did not require expert knowledge to recognise that here was vocalism of an unusual order, and those privileged to hear him on that occasion were at one in acclaiming the strength, beauty, and sweetness of the Athlone aspirant's voice.
So struck was I with the difference between this young man's performance and that of the usual candidate for vocal distinction, that I invited him to a further meeting in the evening of what may be rightly called an historic day. On this occasion he sang several songs with a natural beauty of tone which left the sonorities of the Strad or Steinway in the acoustic shadows, and might be more accurately compared to the song of the thrush or nightingale.
McCormack had always a belief in his personal possibilities, and referred on many occasions to the happy effect of my prop

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EVENING MAIL. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1945
The funeral of Count McCormack at the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown, this morning. Left — The President leaving the Church. Right—Mrs. Gwendoline Pyke (daughter), Countess McCormack and Capt. Cyril (Evening Mail Photo (932R))
VAST CROWD MOURNS McCORMACK
REQUIEM Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown, at ten o'clock, this morning and afterwards the funeral of John Count McCormack took place to Dean's Grange Cemetery amidst scenes of mourning and sympathy seldom witnessed in Dublin.
The Bishop of Thassos, Most Rev. F. J. Wall, D.D., was present at the Mass, which was celebrated by Rev. Daniel Lucey, C.C. Booterstown, who afterwards pronounced the Absolution.
Father Lucey also said the prayers at the graveside. There the Palestrina Choir, of which the Count was a member in his early days, sang the Benedictus.
PRESIDENT AND TAOISEACH The President, who attended the Mass, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, knelt at a special prie-dieu before the sanctuary, as did An Taoiseach, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin (Ald. P. S. Doyle, T.D.).
The Church was packed to capacity, the congregation overflowing on to the steps outside. Hundreds more, unable to gain admission, lined each side of the avenue and waited on the roadway until the coffin was removed from the Church.
Those attending represented every walk of life in the city of Dublin: statesmen, diplomats, clergy, representatives of the judiciary, and the legal and medical professions.
Outstanding amongst the attendance were representatives of musical Dublin. Notable figures from every organisation in the city were present.
There were also present hundreds of others with no claim to fame but with a genuine devotion to musical culture; people who would stand for hours in a queue to hear a great artist.
To-day they were present, too, to pay their tribute.
The chief mourners were: Countess McCormack (widow); Capt. Cyril McCormack (son); Mrs. G. Pyke (daughter); Mrs. C. McCormack (daughter-in-law); Mrs. J. O'Callaghan, Miss M. Foley, Mrs. M. Bissette (sisters-in-law); Mr. N. Foley and the Misses J. Clancy and C. Bissette (relatives).
THE MINISTERS. The large attendance included:—Mr. P. Aiken, Minister for Finance, and Mrs. Aiken; Mr. S. MacEntee, Minister for Local Government, and Mrs. MacEntee; Mr. P. J. Little, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs; General R. Mulcahy, T.D., and Mrs. Mulcahy; General S. McEoin T.D., and Mrs. MacEoin; Senator F. M. Summerfield; Senator and Mrs. Sweetman; Mr. W. T. Cosgrave and Mr. Liam Cosgrave, T.D.
Mr. H. M. Colleady, Sec. of the American Legation (representing the American Minister); Mr. J. D. Kearney, High Commissioner for Canada; the Italian Charge d'Affaires, Baron Confaloneiri; the Polish Consul-General, Mr. W. T. Dobrzynski.
Clergy present included:—Very Rev. J. Canon McArdle P.P.; Rev. A. Egan, C.S.Sp. (representing the President of Blackrock College); Rev. J. Finnucane, C.S.Sp.; Rev. B. Corley, O.M.I. (representing the Superior of Belmont House); Rev. B. O'Reilly, O.M.I., Inchicore; Rev. J. Moloney, Clonliffe College; Rev. M. Harkins, C.S.Sp.; Rev. Fr. Senan, O.F.M.-Cap.; Rev. Fr. Gerald, O.F.M.Cap.; and Rev. M. Heffernan, O.S.A., representing Very Rev. Fr. Provincial.
DR. VINCENT O'BRIEN. Dr. Vincent O'Brien, Dr. J. F. Larchet, Mr. Christopher Lynch, Mr. Frank Manning, Mr. Joe Maiben, the Misses E. Dodd and J. McCann (representing Dublin Fells Ceoil Association); Mr. Michael O'Higgins, R.I.A.M.; Mr. A. J. Boylan, Pro-Cathedral Choir; Mr. Joseph O'Brien, Director Municipal School of Music; Dr. H. O. Mackey and members of the Thomas Moore Society; Dr. Frank Duff, Miss Joan Bourke, Mrs. W. J. M. Starkie (representing Dr. Starkie); Mr. F. J. McCormack, Comdt. W. O'Kelly, Chairman, A. E. Timlin, Hon. Sec., O. B. McConnell, Comdt. J. M. Doyle, R. J. Carey (Dublin Grand Opera Society); Mr. T. H. Weaving, Mr. Sealy Jeffares, Sec. Royal Irish Academy of Music; Mr. W. B. Farmer (representing H.M.V. and Victor, U.S.A.).
The President of the High Court and Mrs. Maguire; Mr. Justice O'Byrne, Judge Fawsitt and Mrs. Fawsitt; Dr. and Mrs. M. Russell; Dr. Harold and Mrs. Quinlan; Dr. and Mrs. S. J. Boland; Dr. and Mrs. L. Cabill; the President of University College and Mrs. Conway; Mr. A. J. O'Connell, Sec. University College, Dublin.
Col. L. Egan, Quartermaster General; Col. M. Tuohy, Col. J. Lillis, Major D. Callenan, Comdt. P. Young, Capt. H. Denis Little, Comdt. P. Young, Rev. S. Burke, C.F.; Capt. M. McQuaid, Capt. and Mrs. J. Quain; Lieut. V. G. Colgan, the Commissioner of the Garda Slochana and Mrs. Klinane.
Gen. Sir James and Lady Hartigan, Mrs. David Gray, Lady Nixon and Miss K. Nixon, Mr. Lennox Robinson, Lord and Lady Longford; Mr. Jack O'Shechan, Mr. and Mrs. F. McDonnell; Mr. Ignatius J. Rice, City Law Agent; Mr. Sean Doyle, Sec. N.A.I.D.A.; Mr. D. O'Kelly (representing the Order of Malta); Mr. Leo Whelan, Mr. and Mrs. Standford Roche; Mrs. Hugh Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Erskine Childers; Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Walsh; Mr. and Mrs. T. Forbes; Miss May Craig, Mrs. T. Martin and Miss Martin, Mrs. Leo Maguire, Chairman, Dublin Operatic Society.
RECITAL OF RECORDS To-morrow's recital of the Dublin Gramophone Society to be given by Mr. F. J. Kelly, will, in view of Count McCormack's death, be devoted exclusively to his records. A good idea of the magnificent voice can still be obtained from the records that are left, especially the earlier ones no longer available to the public. The recital will be at 10 St. Stephen's Green, at 7.30 p.m.

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TRISH PRESS PHOTO

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VIESN PRESS PHOTO

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IRISH PRESS Photo

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[ALTO file: no text lines]

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IRISM PRESS PHOTO

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IRISH PRESS PHOTO

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FUNERAL OF JOHN COUNT McCORMACK
CROWDS lined the route when the funeral of John Count McCormack took place from the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown, to Dean's Grange Cemetery yesterday, following Requiem Mass celebrated by Rev. D. Lucey, C.C.
Most Rev. Dr. Wall, Bishop of Thasos, was present at the Mass. Very Rev. J. J. Canon Killeen, P.P., officiated at the graveside and the Palestrina Choir, conducted by Rev. A. Griffith, C.C., Pro-Cathedral, sang the "Benedictus." It was with this choir that John McCormack first sang in Dublin.
Special places in the Church were reserved for President O'Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. de Valera, and the Lord Mayor, Ald. P. S. Doyle, T.D.
Chief mourners were: Countess McCormack (widow), Captain Cyril (daughter), Mrs. C. McCormack (daughter-in-law), Mrs. J. O'Callaghan, Miss M. Foley, Mrs. M. Bissette (sisters-in-law), Mr. N. Foley and the Misses J. Clancy and O. Lynche, the young Irish tenor, in whose career Count McCormack took such a keen interest, was with the chief mourners.
The large attendance included:—Mr. Aiken, Minister for Finance, and Mrs. Loken Government, and Mrs. MacEntee: Mr. Little, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs; Mr. Dulanty, High Commissioner in London; Mr. Erskine Childers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government, and Mrs. Childers; Mrs. Mulcahy; Gen. S. MacEoin, T.D., and Mrs. MacEoin; Senator F. M. Summerfield; Senator and Mrs. Sweetman; Mrs. W. T. Cosgrave and Mrs. L. Cosgrave, T.D.; Ald. M. O'Sullivan, T.D.; Mr. M. H. Colleady, Secretary of the American Legation (representing the American Minister); Mr. J. D. Kearney, High Commissioner for Canada; the Italian Charge d'Affaires, Baron Confalonieri; the Polish Consul-General, Mr. W. T. Dobrzynski.
Clergy present included Very Rev. J. Canon McArdle, P.P.; Rev. A. Egan, C.S.Sp. (rep.); Rev. J. Finnublackrock College; Rev. B. Corley, O.M.I. (rep.); Rev. S. Superior of Belmont House; Rev. B. O'Reilly, O.M.I., Inchicore; Rev. J. Moloney, Clonliffe
College; Rev. M. Harkins, C.S.Sp.; Rev. Father Gerald, O.F.M.Cap., and Rev. Father Gerald, O.F.M.Cap.; Rev. M. Heffernan, O.S.A. (rep. Very Rev. Father Provincial); Rev. T. B. Condon, Adm., Pro-Cathedral; Very Rev. Monsignor R. J. Casey, Head Chaplain, Defence Forces.
Others present were: Dr. Vincent O'Brien, Dr. J. F. Larchet, Mr. F. Manning, Mr. J. Maiben, Miss Margaret Burke Sheridan, the Misses E. Dodd and J. McCann (rep. Dublin Feis Ceoil Association); Mr. Michael O'Higgins, R.I.A.M.; Mr. A. J. Boylan, Pro-Cathedral Choir; Mr. Joseph O'Brien, Director Municipal School of Music; Dr. H. O. Mackay and Mrs. Frank Duff, Miss Joan Burke, Mrs. W. J. M. Starkie (rep. Dr. Starkie); Mr. F. J. MacCormack, Comdt. W. O'Kelly, Chairman; Mr. A. E. Timlin, Hon. Sec.; Mr. C. E. McConnell, Comdt. J. M. Doyle, R. J. Carey (Maguire Grand Opera Society); Mrs. David (Chairman, Dublin Operatic Society); Mr. T. H. Weaving, Mr. Sealy Jeffares, Sec., Royal Irish Academy of Music; Mr. W. B. Farmer (rep. H.M.V. and Victor, U.S.A.).
The President of the High Court and Mrs. Maguire, Mr. Justice O'Byrne, Judge Fawsitt, the President of U.C.D. and Mrs. Conway, Dr. and Mrs. M. Russell, Dr. Harold and Mrs. Quinlan, Dr. and Mrs. L. Cahill, Mr. A. J. O'Connell, Sec., U.C.D.; Mrs. David Gray.
Col. L. Egan, Q.M.G.; Col. M. Tuohy, Col. J. Lillis, Major D. Callenan, Comdt. P. Young, Capt. H. Denis Mitchael, Rev. S. Burke, C.F.; Capt. M. Lieut. V. G. Colgan, the Commissioner of the Garda and Mrs. Kinnane.
Dr. P. J. Hernon, Dublin City Manager; Mr. T. C. O'Mahony, Asst. do.; Mr. D. J. O'Donovan, Dublin Co. accommissioner; Mr. P. J. Council; Dr. Lorcan G. Sherlock, Mr. J. L. Byrne, solr.; Mr. Francis J. Kelly (Dublin Gramophone Society); Mrs. Harold R. White and Mr. H. G. White; Messrs. Victor Waddington, F. D. Murtagh, C. E. McConnell, T. Keogh.
Messrs. J. A. Costello, S.C., T.D.; P. McGilligan, T.D.; M. E. Dockrell, T.D.; H. M. Dockrell, T.D.; E. Coogan, B.L., T.D.; Senators M. Hayes, J. J. Secretary, Fine Gael; General Sir James and Lady Hartigan, Lady Nixon and Miss K. Nixon, Mr. Lennox Robinson, Lord and Lady Longford, Mr. J. O'Sheehan, Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell, Mr. Leo Newspapers (representing Condoned Mr. Leo Newspapers, Ltd.); Mr. Ignatius J. Rice, City Law Agent; Mr. Sean Doyle, Sec., N.A.I.D.A.; Mr. D. O'Kelly (representing the Order of Malta); Mr. Leo Whelan, R.H.A.; Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Stanford, Roche, Mrs. Hugh Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. T. Forbes, Miss May Craig, Mrs. T. Martin and Miss Martin, Dun Laghaire Borcroll, Chairman; Mr. Douglas N. Crawford, Mrs. Power, Mr. M. J. O'Brien, P.C.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. William Fanagan, 54 Aungier St., Dublin.

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1946
MOORE ABBEY, Monasterevan, Co. Kildare—once the home of the late John Count McCormack—which is to be opened shortly as a home for female epileptic patients.
Some four years ago a party of nuns, Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, came from England to establish the home. They were led by Rev. Mother John (Walsh), who made the initial arrangements. Since then travel difficulties have prevented the arrival of any further Sisters. The headquarters of the Order is in Belgium, and trained Sisters could not be brought to Ireland during the war.
Home of Singing
A fine building, with extensive gardens and grounds, Moore Abbey was leased by the late Count McCormack, who held it for some years up to 1937. Since then
it has been unoccupied except by a caretaker. The nuns are expected to take possession shortly.
The Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary were introduced in 1803 by Canon Triest, who was known as the St. Vincent de Paul of Belgium, for he was also responsible for the introduction of the Brothers of St. John of God.
The mother-house of the Order of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary is at Ghent, and they have many branches in various parts of the world.
In 1888, at the invitation of the late Cardinal Vaughan, the Sisters founded a Convent at Holly Mount, Tottington, Bury, Lancashire, where Mother John Walsh, a native of Kerry, resides.
It is an enclosed congregation, with no lay Sisters, and their work is teaching in their training colleges, boarding and day schools and orphanages, and nursing. Many of the members are Irish.

--- Page 14 ---
JOHN
MACGORMICK
GRACE FLUMMETT

--- Page 15 ---
:: THEATRE ROYAL. ::
Souvenir Programme
of
Grand
Concert
given by
MR. . .
JOHN McCORMACK
prior to his departure for America,
Thursday Afternoon, Sept. 30th,
at 3 o'clock.
1909
BOOK : OF : WORDS—SIXPENCE.

--- Page 16 ---
THE CATHOLIC PRESS. John McCormack, September 3, 1925.
the World's Most Popular Irishman
The scene is the opera house in Savona—"Amico Fritz," the opera. A young tenor holds the stage while thousands of bronze-faced Italians sit and listen, eager, intent. The tenor concludes a glorious aria in faultless Italian and the rafters ring.
"Bravo! Foli! Bravissimo!" And Signor Giovanni Foli takes his bow, strides to the wings where flushed faces greet him—an acknowledged artist of Italian opera in Italy.
Thus it was that John McCormack—who was known in Italy as "Giovanni Foli"—came into his own. The incident illuminates the guiding motive of the Irish singer's early years—to be better than his job. Italian printers could never spell his name correctly. So he called himself Foli—partly correctly. But he called himself Foli—became Mrs. McCormack and the mother of his two children, Cyril and Gwen, and partly because Foli was the Italian approximation to the name of the greatest basso Ireland ever produced.
Again: The giant Aquitania was pounding the ocean from New York to Southampton. On the promenade deck a famous American actress was studying a play in the original French. The actress read French well, but confessed she could not speak the language fluently enough to judge the values of the play for American presentation—the rights of which had been offered her. Strolling along the deck came John McCormack and Mrs. McCormack. The actress mentioned her difficulty of them.
"I think John can help you," said Mrs. McCormack. "Anything to oblige," said John. So he took the play, and, said John, translated it into Italian, and from Italian into English.
There were those on board who, hearing of this trilingual feat, marvelled. They assumed, probably, that all a well-known singer needs as an asset is his well-known voice. As a matter of fact, that bit of translation was merely one more exercise for McCormack. He is an accomplished linguist—one reason why Holy Cross College gave him the degree of doctor of literature.
They're Assets—Not Hobbies.
Let McCormack himself explain it. "Early in my career," he says, "I discovered the important truth that the man who would be successful must know more than his game to shine in his game.
"The easiest thing in the world is for a stranger to sing phonetically in a foreign language. In Australia I once heard a parrot sing all the scales practiced by the lady of the house.
"When I commenced my career it was not as a concert singer but in the hard school of opera—Italy. In my youth I had heard some good singers who had excellent technique, but they lacked finesse in rendering songs in a foreign language. I had it had been a full state of language. I had
a voice, I determined that I should have something more than a well-trained voice—that when I sang, as I would have to sing in a foreign language I should know that language and be able to put into my song the emotional force intended by the author of the lyric as well as by the composer.
"I made my first professional appearance in the opera 'Amico Fritz' at the Teatro Chiabrera at Savona, 25 miles from Borno and where Donald O'Connell died. I received 15 lire for the job—about 15s as exchange stood in those days. My appearance was successful—at least the Italians accepted me as one of their own. I was able to secure an engagement in Naples, where I sang Faust on ten successive evenings for 200 lires about £10 in those days.
Living Foundations.
"Those were the days of the hardest work for me. I had a repertoire of more than a dozen Italian operas. No two or three a day vaudeville artist was driven
JOHN MCCORMACK, WITH HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER.
harder than I to get that first foothold. After a period of six months, living sparingly on what plain food I could afford and in second-rate pensions, I was ready to resign my ambitions as an opera artist."
In later years one of John McCormack's concerts alone—in San Francisco—netted £5000; and a Charities benefit he gave for the United War Charities in New York raised £15,000. Quite a contrast to those early days of grand opera trouping, when he was singing for something like a week.
After his operatic barnstorming in Italy McCormack returned to London to spend more months of his lean, ladder-climbing yeath, securing open engagements until he made his first appearance at Covent Garden in "Cavalleria Rusticana" on October 15, 1907, at the age of 23, and remained a month of that great organisation to the outbreak of the war in 1914.
In 1909 Oscar Hammerstein went abroad locking for calanti. At the suggestion of Cleophanteles Campanini he had McCormack, and immediately engaged him for America. With his Covent Garden prestige McCormack went to New York, where he joined the Manhattan Opera Company, making his first New York appearance in "Traviata" with Madame Tetrazzini and Sammarco, on November 10, 1909. He was triumphant from the start, and in the spring of 1911 he gave his first concert recital in New York—where he has since given 150 concerts, always he crowded audiences.
There is no sizable town in the United States or Canada, and no city in Australia where McCormack has not singed for the through records and the New Year's radio concert he gave nearly everybody in America has heard him. The Victor Talking Machine has heard him. For which he made records, received 80,000 letters of appreciation following that one aerial concert.
"Me to put my own limit on the public has of my career," says McCormack, "because I don't want to be asking and receiving popular support when I shall not my powers be wanting, and that I know my powers
it That is why I'm going to retire definitely at 50. There'll be no farewell tours, or any of the usual mechanics of exit. I'll just be through. Again for some charity, but never for my own profit after I'm 50. Jean De Reszke could sing a magnificent lop anticipation of perishing before particular concerts were complete. But I'll be through professionally at 50. I'd sooner have them saying 'Why did he quit?' Why doesn't he quit?"
HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER.
A Golden Opportunity.
"I'll spend the next nine years giving my annual concerts and keeping my eyes and ears open for somebody who can succeed me. I'll be in the first that I welcome him. There's a man in Ireland that I heard when I acted as judge at the Tailteann Festival last year. He has a grand voice and is a magnificent-looking young fellow. But he wouldn't listen to me when I told him he could make a fortune in America. He preferred to keep a government job that paid him about £400.
"Of one thing I'm sure now: I shall never again appear in opera, and I shall never forget the debt that I owe to my training in opera. I know my own limitations, and I've known them all along. I'm a very poor actor."
After every concert hundreds of letters go to McCormack from young persons ambitious to become professional singers. "My advice to young singers after my years here in America," he says, "would be this: Build your voice on all five vowels. I can remember my old maestro saying to me that 'Giovanni, that, but your lovely, (ce) is very squeezed. You will be a master of the technique of singing when you can sing the through of singing when you can from E flat to A natural.'
There is only one way for a voice to become known, and that is to make itself known. In the radio to dayners—a quicker road to recognition than the reigning favourites or their predecessors ever had. If native American talent is not in too much of a hurry it will get along. In training in Europe is good, but it's by no means necessary, although, of course, the most critical musical audiences

--- Page 17 ---
P. O. Box 105
Telephone : 74121
THE CAPUCHIN ANNUAL OFFICE
Editors : Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap.
Father Gerald, O.F.M.Cap.
TWO CAPEL STREET
DUBLIN
April 24th, 1946.
The Capuchin Annual
Bonaventura
The Father Mathew Record
Countess McCormack,
Glena,
Booterstown,
Dublin.
Dear Countess McCormack,
I think that for the sake of the great man who is gone (R.I.P.) you will forgive me for troubling you about an idea I have. It is this: to mark the first anniversary of his death by devoting a considerable section of the next issue of the Annual to his memory — that is of course if you have no objection. In this section I should like to print a series of tributes to the man and the artist from a number of people, say a dozen, who knew him well. The names that have suggested themselves to me are Archbishop Curley, Compton MacKenzie, Vincent O'Brien, W. T. Cosgrave, Dr. Paddy Browne, Capt. Michael Bowles, Lucrezia Bori,
P. O. Box 105
Telephone : 74121
THE CAPUCHIN ANNUAL OFFICE
Editors : Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap.
Father Gerald, O.F.M.Cap.
TWO CAPEL STREET
DUBLIN
The Capuchin Annual
Bonaventura
The Father Mathew Record
Madame Caruso, Thomas MacGreevy, Dr. Kiernan, Mrs. Frank Aiken, Paddy Little, Charles Lynch, Dr. Ned Carey, and perhaps a word from the Czech sculptor.
I should also like to print a 16-page supplement of pictures of him.
I wonder would you be so good as to let me know at your convenience whether you approve of the idea and the list of names and if there is any suggestion you would like to make.
I hope you continue to keep well and that you have good news of Capt. McCormack and Mrs. Pyke and of the grandchildren.
Father Gerald joins me in kind remembrances.
Yours sincerely,
FS/RD.

--- Page 18 ---
POLPERRO,
EPSOM LANE SOUTH,
TADWORTH, SURREY.
TEL. BUROH HEATH 889.
4.5.46
Dear Father Senan,
I am sure you will not misunderstand me if I ask me you not to press me to write the short article you suggest on John Mc. Cormack. I did an appreciation of him in the Sunday Times at the time of his death, and this I freely and gladly place at your disposal for the Annual, without any fee, as my own tribute to the great artist John. My constant objection to doing anything of this kind for formal publication long after the man's death is that it always has the air, for me, of having been done by request; and somehow or other--- forgive me if you find me peculiar in this respect!--- it looks unspontaneous to me. I much prefer the thing straight from the heart that one writes at the first shock of the loss.
If you have any difficulty in getting the Sunday Times please let me know, and I will make a copy of the article.
With all good wishes for the accomplishment of the fine task you have set yourself,
Yours sincerely,

--- Page 19 ---
TELEPHONE
6A4/4.
8, ST. MARY'S ROAD,
BALLSBRIDGE,
DUBLIN.
6th May, 1946.
Dear Father Seran,
Very many thanks for your
letter and for the copy of your great
annual volume. I shall be delighted
to be associated with this tribute
to my dear and lamented friend
John McCormack.
With kindest regards,
Believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
J. F. Anshet.

--- Page 20 ---
as from glaslough
May 7 1966
Dear Father Senan
of course I will write a
tribute to Count MacCormac
but give me time to
collect thoughts & memory.
In great haste
mire Séan
Shane Leslie
An Israeli Glaslough

--- Page 21 ---
AN ENAÈCARÁN
THE PRESIDENT
COLÁISTE NA HIOLSTOILE
SAILLIM
University College, Galway
4 adh de Bhealtaire 46
Athair Seanan dith
Ní fhéadar cea faith go mbiteasa d'iarraidh orm
rudaí a dhéanamh atá thar mó riocht. In sereidfea é, ní chuala
riamh MacCormaic ag cana ach ar lá úd sa Prins Pháire
i n-am na Chódhála. Ná ní railth aithne afam air go dtí bliain
go leith sarar cailleadh é, nugin nugin a bhí glothar an bhais na
Scómaigh cheana. Adamhóir, is dóigh lim, go bhfuil leath-seál
afam gan dul sa treis.
Ná siúl afam go bhfuil maintir an teaghlaigh uile go maith,
go mór-mhór tu féin, Gearóid agus Tomás. Iná bhunn Caoir afam
ar dhul go Baile Ath Cliath, bead! núr measc lá éigin.
le dúthracht dith
P. de Brún

--- Page 22 ---
Army School of Music
6/5/46
Dear Father Senan
Many thanks for inviting me to take part in your tribute to the late Count, but I'm afraid I must 'renege'. I feel that Someone more intimately acquainted with him would be a better choice for an article on McGormack the man. As for McGormack's the artist, much as I would like to be associated with any such tribute I regret I have not sufficient free time at my disposal to do justice to the subject as I am fully occupied here in connection with the training of recruits and reorganization. My 'Spare' time is entirely devoted to preparing Grand Opera - under difficult conditions, a voluntary chorus, a scratch orchestra &c., &c. (Radio Encama orch. is 'not available' to me, nowadays.) Please excuse my non-compliance your Silverly J.M. Doyle

--- Page 23 ---
235, SUSSEX GARDENS,
W. 2.
8th May 1946
Father Senan, O.F.M. Cap.
The Capuchin Annual Office,
Two Capel Street,
Dublin.
Dear Father Senan,
I feel very honoured that
you should have asked me to be one
of those to pay tribute to my old
friend John McCormack. I will do
my best to make it worthy of the
occasion and will let you have my
effort before June 15th.
Yours sincerely,

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TEL. WEST HANNEY 218
STATION: WANTAGE ROAD
DENCHWORTH MANOR • NR WANTAGE • BERKSHIRE
10th May 1946.
Dear Father Senan,
Yes, of course I will contribute something to the MacCormack Memorial, in the Capuchin Annual.
With all good wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Compts Rudenyk

--- Page 25 ---
REX/EAST SIXTY FIRST STREET
Candy Hill Road
SUDBURY, Massachusetts
May 12, 1946
Dear Father Senan,
I am deeply touched to be one of those invited to pay tribute to my dear friend, Count McCormack, by writing an article to be published in The Capuchin Annual.
My memories of him are so many, and so moving, and my admiration for him so profound, that richness of material makes me hesitate to undertake a task which, were I fully to express my feelings, would run into a volume.
I therefore decided to restrain myself and send you an article that contains less than the required number of words, but which incorporates the essence of what John meant to me, as illustrated by three incidents - which were multiplied, and magnified, in many forms and manners during the twenty-five years in which it was my privilege to know him.
I beg you not to mention remuneration - the honour is enough.
Very sincerely yours,
Dorothy Caruso

--- Page 26 ---
One summer evening when my log cabin was filled with firelight and music and the sound of rain, a voice interrupted a radio program with the words, "News has just been received that John McCormack, the famous Irish tenor, is dead".
Today, a year later, I say as I said then: "John is not dead. Men of great hearts do not die".
It is to that heart I pay homage.
I remember my first Christmas without Enrico. I did not know John well at that time, yet of all the millions who mourned my husband it was John whose strong and simple sympathy lifted me from despair. He telephoned on Christmas Eve. "In case you are sitting alone tonight", he said, "Lilly and I would like you to go with us to St. Patrick's to midnight mass and come back for a bit of supper afterward". I went, and from that moment I no longer felt lost.
Years later, on another Christmas, I took my little daughter, Gloria, to the McCormack house. For weeks she had been learning the Christmas hymn, "Little Lord Jesus", and this afternoon she would sing it as a surprise and present for John. He treated her as one artist would treat another, though she was only six years old, offering her tea and listening with most serious attention to the end of the song. But before he could express his delight, tears came to Gloria's eyes and she hid her face in her hands and wept. John's arms were around her in a moment. "Gloria", he said, "we artists must not cry for our own songs, we must hide our tears within ourselves and make others cry". Then he smiled down at her - "And now how would you like a dish of soap and water and a toothbrush to scrub clean the marble bust in the hall?"
Once after a concert in Carnegie Hall, when I began to speak of his voice, he raised his hand. "No", he said, "do not go on. Tell me instead about the Great Man who could really sing".
John McCormack was so deep in loving-kindness, so wide in understanding and so high in humility that his voice, for all its beauty, might long ago have ceased but the measure of his great heart would still have acclaimed him immortal.

--- Page 27 ---
"His Master's Voice"
THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LTD
BY APPOINTMENT TO H.M. THE KING
TELEGRAMS
OR CABLES
RECORDABOX
MAIDA
LONDON
IN YOUR REPLY
PLEASE REFER TO
TELEPHONE
MAIDA VALE 7386
RECORDING STUDIOS
3, ABBEY ROAD,
ST. JOHN'S WOOD,
LONDON, N.W.8
BY APPOINTMENT
TO H.M. QUEEN MARY.
IAD. JBW
24th May, 1946.
Dear Father Senan,
I am honoured by your invitation
that I should participate in a tribute to
my dear friend John McCormack.
I will do a short note for you
and send it off within ten days.
With all good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
WALTER LEGGE
International Artists Dept.
Father Senan,
The Capuchin Annual Office,
Two Capel Street,
DUBLIN.

--- Page 28 ---
SERVICE AFTER SALES.
AGENT FOR ALL LEADING
MAKES OF RADIO.
GRAMOPHONES & RECORDS.
TELEPHONE:
DUBLIN 21856.
PROPRIETOR:
H L MOISELLE.
JOHNSONS COURT BESIDE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH GRAFTON STREET LOOK FOR ELECTRIC SIGN DUBLIN
Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap.
The Capuchin Annual Office,
Two Capel St. Dublin.
June 1946.
Dear Father,
When we got your letter, I felt very glad to be given the chance to pay tribute, no matter, how inadequately, to the Memory of that great Irishman, John, Count McCormack.
We here, know him, so well, so kindly and so unaffected, and so ready to help.
My children, and myself, were always glad to old records, when we had found some of his
He had a remarkable memory, for these old recordings and could say when and where he had made them, while whilst he also told us of these other singers, he had met.
The Glorious Voice, now stilled on Earth, lives on: while, we, in our limited selfish way, perhaps, Mourn Our Loss, XXXXXX forgetting that XXX John McCormack is now singing in The Great Choir before the Throne of God. praising Him through all Eternity..
What more can I say?
Yours Most Sincerely.,
Herbert Louis Moiselle
.....

--- Page 29 ---
A few years ago John McCormack and Mary Lewis gave a concert in Carnegie Hall. On the way into the building I met John McCormack who told me that his wife Lily had a box to the left of the stage, and he asked me if I would occupy it with her. After a group of songs he said to the audience: "I have a friend in the box, whom you have all heard on the air, and I am going to ask him to come down and say a few words to you". I had no business talking to the audience in Carnegie Hall that particular night, for it was the scene of a concert and not of an unprepared lecture. John McCormack sent his manager to the box to take me down to the stage. I had recourse to Blarney and told his life story in terms of the making of the babe of Athlone.
Three little fairies and an angel assisted God in making the babe of Athlone. One of the little fairies went down to the Shannon and stole from the limpid waters of the Shannon, its lilt. The other two fairies went down to Killarney, where on one side of the road the sun shines and on the other side it rains, like a child that smiles through its tears, and makes human rainbows. One fairy took a ray of sunshine from one side of the road, while the other took a drop of rain from the other side of the road. Carrying them back to Athlone, by a peculiar fairy magic, the ray of sunshine was converted into a smile, and the drop of rain into a tear. The lilt, and the smile, and the tear were given to the babe of Athlone. The angel who stood nearby said: "Oh, if he only had a voice to articulate that lilt and that smile and that tear. I shall go to Heaven and ask God for a voice". God said: "Over in that corner of Heaven is a host of harps that have not been used since the day that Michael flashed his archangelic spears. Take from out one of those golden harps, three golden chords and take them down and string the throat of the babe of Athlone". When the throat of the babe of Athlone had been strung with the golden chords from the golden harp of God, he cried. The Angel said: "Oh, how he'll sing when he grows". But the fairies answered: "He must have an inspiration for song, for no Irishman can sing without an inspiration. We will go all through Ireland in search of a flower that will be so lovely and beautiful that it will draw from out those golden chords and that Irish heart all the melody that God has put into it". The three fairies set out to Ireland, travelling down the East coast of Ireland and up the West; finally they came to Dublin, where they found the beautiful Lily, and he has been singing to her ever since.

--- Page 30 ---
FROM
BARONESS RAVENSDALE, 9, THE VALE. CHELSEA, S.W.3.
FLAX.: 8448.
Mar 14
I will do of here to write something
in a box dear John. + am
honoured for arch be but first
New days I have treasoned
all too of. We far been free
In Ravensdale

--- Page 31 ---
"God said ours John McFornale who as I am just variety of specialities & soft lots of harm famous rem I have not been continued so much that I should be a guide to others. At rays as aspiring to the test, we his superb provision of his sons & varies, he should informe to surprise & preparation for a pronoun that in the end must be as deep perfect as possible. That heart horn & study; & that applica-
hor horn through his altitude to life.20
In a discussion of phobic, politics, music, & art, his friends already have; sur learning are have, sought to learn & give two add there was, on any topic, in tenetery here at the time. He has interested of mediocritic the storm of his voice & arg we the storm of his hature, which came from an abridging fact we his our belief which I should colour all peat hims whis-
In long years of privilege with him & his 3 family, the trains together in China & Japan he possessed for me a priceless sease of humour a glorious fire of underpalm as injunction put ones & wrong, a finely turned train we agreed & discussion, which had the hours spent when John McFornale of priceless value & indulgible memory. The very size of John McFornale's heart the peatness of his heart. The trial of his vision & the breath of his understanding of his fellow men.
I considered him a finely turned hold attorney, who prove we his own land & the County of his adoption. That as the fire of John McFornale's company. his was hunt a on trace might & one could hander outside his own fire of music into all the hippings & by ways of of political & literary agreement. But with warring priders he could settle the
Good & had & heaver which has not to pay & which has not to tors away. & with his faint who his finds he must predominated amongst we, because he was vilarant, alert, a love of them & their doings. There should be written on his bathets in His ann his. Good here to young rising artists, which is not always the case when artists the han racked the top of the terra. To my read personalities li he John should be immortal, they smuch life & I give a great to it. I thank Good! In cause still hear those perfect gothen tones in his Summophone Records - they should be all your surgeries a "deal". Do yet they bound of heart & I tries for very sound John McFornale is not still in our mood. This sariety compares & are but millions he looks obsistent - other from after. & I for one and pateful to have known him, for in his herodalt he blended thought when fact, hords when michon & his very life. whe service to his calling.

--- Page 32 ---
COUNT MACORMACK - 4 TRIBUTE
These pen is a poor medium to pay hommage to the voice. Some a gold pen would not soffice to pay the right hommage to the golden Voice.
How inadequately all accounts, contemporary or historical, indicavour to pars Newmain voice, shen preaching at Oxford, done the ages. Though an enormous number of listeners survive from John Macormack's concerts, is there a single writer among them she could bring the exquisite timbre and heart-rolling melody of that voice to portunity?
We have been schooled to believe that a certain type of voice, the grandest and greatest, the voice of grand opera cannot be bred and trained except in germany or Italy. For once an Irish voice outsang the centuries. Inland has had her bads, her ballad-singers, her concert-performers but for the first time she could claim a voice in the front line. Henceforth Irish singers know they can never be reposed a toral in the operative ranks. They have only to claim they have sprung from the soil of John Macormack!
(add if you think fit)
Twice in memory the great figure stands out in my of the past
(1) at a favourite concert in the albut Hall. No prizefighter, no conducter, no statesman care held that mightly space with such case and triumph as Count Macormack on that occasion. But he had his faithful London Irish brind and before him. They langued and they wept and they cheered. He trucked the dispasson of their hearts much as I can imagine o'Connell playing on a vast and smother Irish audience.
(2) I willed with him from the Presidents house to the majestice scene in the Phoenix Park shen he sang with his one single voice the "Panis angelicus" at the Eucharistic Congress. He won the bright uniform of the Papal Court and amid all the dreb coloured laymen he looked like a scraph.
Unforgotten, unforgettable and happily not unconded for the Records will every the whispered brandy of his voice to triumph ant & over the fravor.

--- Page 33 ---
From 17th - 46
Glena,
Booterstown,
Dublin.
Dear Father Senan
You were kind
enough to ask me to
add my few words to
all your some tributes
to my dear John —
Words fail me when I
clink of the powderful
blissfully to appry your
(nearly 40) of married life
which we had together.
I know the children afree
with me, that there were
near a more deroted &
serenous faither.
All I can say is
there now could be a
more deroted & wonderful
husband than Queen John
With very heart weaker
to you I'm graced & many
thanks for all your
kindness
my sincerely yours
Sir G. Gormack

--- Page 34 ---
[ALTO file: no text lines]

--- Page 35 ---
DÚN GAOITHE,
SANDYFORD,
CO. DUBLIN.
6-7-'46.
21-6-'46.
Dear Father Senan.
Enclosed is my article
on John Re Garnack with my
sincere apologies for being
bit behind him.
This is my first appearance
in the literary line! and I
sincerely hope my little effort
will meet with your approval.
If you think it needs to be ent.
or any part deleted, do with it
you will.
It is my hope to say how proud
and happy I am to be remembered
by the Editor of an Annual
that has no rival in the pleasure
and pride it gives to its readers.
With very kind regards to
you and Father Gerald.
Yours Sincerely,
Rand Biken.

--- Page 36 ---
-I-.
-2-.
I first met John McCormack at the Tailtean Games in 1924.
"I suppose you'll be asking me why I sing so much rubbish," was almost his first remark.
Nobody could pretend that a great singer by the completeness of his sincerity, by the beauty of his voice and by the perfection of his art, did not often make sentimental nonsense sound inspired, but we must remember that when he enchanted the unsophisticated listener with what the less sophisticated listener considered banality he was at the same time a gate-opener to those who cared to penetrate more deeply into the great garden of music. I have related elsewhere how at the concert John gave at the Theatre Royal, Dublin, I came upon w.B. Yeats wandering along at the back of the circle with an agonized expression and moaning softly to himself, "The words, the words! The damnable clarity of the words!"
Yes, I daresay the words of Kathleen Mavorneen are poor verse, but who that heard John McCormack sing then would have wished to change one of them? And Ben Bolt! I recognize that the words of Ben Bolt do not put the author of them beside Horace or even Herrick, but when I play them on the gramophone record made more than forty years ago by John I feel that of this little lament for Sweet Alice with hair so brown and old playmates and the village schoolmaster I can sunt lacrimae rerum.
No doubt the austere critic would complain that the resing method of trivial sentiment to a Virgilian level is an insidious method of corrupting taste, but I find as ode grows older that one values more and more the artist's ability to diffuse vitality, and John McCormack's vitalizing power was unquestionable.
Once upon a time the genius of the interpretative artist had to be taken on trust by those who never heard him sing or act or play. Nowadays thanks to the gramophone the interpretative artist can hope to hakkaxa impress himself on posterity. I find it hard to believe that the best records made by John McCormack will not be a joy to people yet unborn. It is true that the earlier records were made before electrical recording and therefore, when his voice was at its freshest and loveliest, the accompaniments were preposterously inadequate. However, John McCormack can never be just a name as Reeves is to-day.
I have met many great artists in my life, but I never met one quite so loveable as John McCormack. He was as simple as a child, as natural as an inspoilt countryside. His faith was ardent. His generosity was constant.
I related more a destroit ma. The wide wald more repeat the world's nayi of his time
Capt Hady

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To Count John McCormack
On his death, September 16th, 1945
JAREWELL dear singer, may God rest your soul ;
You have so nobly run, and passed the goal
You started out to reach when still a boy ;
For you have moved the world, and brought more joy
To tired, weary hearts than you can know ;
By rich, melodious notes, that swell and flow
To the very core of one's whole being ;
By songs poured out, not only from a voice
In sweetness unsurpassed, so rare and choice,
But vibrant with a beauty, springing deep
From hidden feelings, too intense to keep
Within the confines of a human breast,
Which surge up and escape, to be expressed
Through music, soul inspiring and inspired,
Stirring the heart to purer, truer love,
Lifting the mind to golden heights, above
The sordid, tarnished ugliness of life,
With all its noise and hatred, wars and strife,
To realms where all is beauty, peace and light,
Where nothing jars upon the ears or sight,
But only God and all His glory dwells.
There, in that realm, where you have lately passed,
Your soul unfettered and released at last,
You still sing on, in unrestrained delight,
Notes soaring up, untrammelled in their flight ;
And when we, too, pass through that waiting door,
Please God, your song will greet our ears once more,
To mingle with the music of the spheres.
OLIVE M. TAYLOR

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DEATH OF MOST REV. DR. CURLEY
McCarmack book
Sun. Aud. 18. V. 67
WE regret to announce the death of Most Rev. Dr. Michael J. Curley, the Athlone-born Archbishop of the combined Archdioceses of Washington and Baltimore, which took place in the Bon Secours Hospital, Baltimore, yesterday, after a long illness.
Born on October 12, 1879, Dr. Curley was the second son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Michael Curley, Golden Island, Athlone. He spent his holidays every year with his mother in Athlone until her death. She was over 90 when she died.
He had the unique distinction of being the only Archbishop in the history of the Church to rule over two Archdioceses simultaneously.
In 1932 he celebrated the Pontifical High Mass in Phoenix Park, Dublin, on the closing day of the great Eucharistic Congress.
Call to New World
Dr. Curley received his early education at the local Marist Brothers' School, where one of his closest friends and classmates was the late John Count McCormack.
After entering Mungret Colege, in 1896, to study for the priesthood, a lecture by Most Rev. Dr. Moore, Bishop of St. Augustine, U.S.A., on the need for priests in Florida, induced him to devote his life and talents in the missionary fields of the New World.
Following his Philosophy course at Mungret the future Archbishop continued his studies in Rome, where he was ordained on March 19, 1904. His first appointment was pastor and missionary priest of De Lano, Florida.
Ten years later he was consecrated Bishop of St. Augustine. He was then 34.
Seven years later he succeeded Cardinal Gibbons as Archbishop of Baltimore, the premier See of the United States, and thus be-
Most Rev. Dr. Curley
came head of the Church in America.
President Roosevelt was an intimate personal friend of his Grace.
A powerful preacher, the Archbishop was a leading advocate of the clean film campaign in America. All his life he was a staunch supporter of the cause of Irish freedom.

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James McCormack
114 ST. PAULS ROAD
ARDMORE, PA.
February 1, 1946
Rev Father Senan, O.F.M. Cap, Editor
The Capuchin Annual
Church Street
Dublin, Eire
Dear Father Senan:
I have received a copy of the wonderful issue of the Annual for 1946-47 and hasten to tell you how deeply impressed I was with the whole book but especially with the section devoted to the memory of my brother the late Count McCormack. It is very evident that a great deal of loving care went into the planning and the preparation of this great tribute. May I congratulate you dear Father Senan and thank you for your remembering John in this beautiful way.
Would it be possible for me to purchase three or four additional copies. There are some very dear friends of mine and his who would dearly love to have this as a lasting memorial. They would also be very much interested to see what a wonderful book the Capuchin Annual is.
If you would be kind enough to let me know if the additional copies are available and what the cost plus postage would be I will cable the cost.
Again thanks Father and may God bless you and everyone who had anything to do with the tribute to John RIP
Sincerely yours

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Count McGormacks Birthplace The Bown ATHLONE

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BIRTHPLACE OF COUNT JOHN McCORMACK, WORLDS FAMOUS TENDR.

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ST. MARYS CHURCH & MARISS SCHOOLS ATHLONE

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MUCKROSS ABBEY, KILLARNEY, 1924.

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ATHLONIE
THE BAVYN
from Count McCormack's Home

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SHIGO ~ SUMMERHILL College

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A picture story taken from the magazine
Merces All-
CATHOLIC ACTION ILLUSTRATED
National Catholic Comm Weekly, Minneapolis S. Minn.
THE
Golden Voice
OF
ATHLONE
THE STORY OF
JOHN McCORMACK
BY MARGUERITE McCLAIN
ILLUSTRATED BY THEODORE CONRATH
① JOHN McCORMACK WAS BORN JUNE 14
1884, IN ATHLONE, IRELAND -- ON THE
BANKS OF THE RIVER SHANNON.
AND FROM WHERE
IS COMING THE
LAUGHTER
AND MUSIC
IT IS THE
McCORMACKS
THEY SING
FROM MORN
TILL NIGHT
② WHEN JOHN WAS THREE, HE STARTED
SCHOOL AT ATHLONE --
LISTEN WELL
TO WHAT THE
GOOD BROTHERS
TELL YOU!
I WILL
MOTHER!
ALTHOUGH JOHN WAS FULL OF
MISCHIEF HE STUDIED HARD.
3 FAITH; AND I HOPE THERE WILL BE GREEN APPLES AT SLIGO.
TWELVE YEARS OLD AND A SCHOLAR SHIP FOR SLIGO COLLEGE AND YOU STILL LOVE GREEN APPLES!
4 SLIGO COLLEGE
WE WANT
JOHN IN THE PLAY
TOO
5 DRESS REHEARSAL
STOP! IF YOU PUT
YOUR HEAD OUTSIDE
THAT DOOR
I'LL PUT A
BULLET
IN IT!
BRAVO THATS YOUR MOST DRAMATIC LINE -- DON'T MUFF IT TONIGHT
To be continued next week

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McCormack Library
Donated to U.C.D.
Mr. Michael Bowles with Mrs. Cyril McCormack at University College, Dublin, on the occasion of the formal presentation by Capt. Cyril McCormack of books of music bequeathed by his father, the late John Count McCormack, to University College, Dublin.
John McCormack was not only one of the finest artistes, but also one of the finest Irishmen this country had produced, said Mr. M. Tierney, President, U.C.D., receiving the books on behalf of the governing body and the students.
The books include the works of Bach and Handel, and number about 200 volumes. They will become part of the library of U.C.D.
Mr. Tierney said that the books represented an extremely valuable gift and they would remain so, so long as the College lasted.
Capt. McCormack said his father was a great admirer of the National University, and one of his last wishes was that his books on music should go to it.
Prof. J. F. Larchet stated that John McCormack was not only a fine artiste, but also a scholar, and his profundity of musical feeling came, to a large degree, from his wide knowledge as a scholar.
The presentation was made in the Council Chamber of U.C.D., and was followed by a gramophone recital of a number of McCormack's records.

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SOCIAL and PERSONAL
IRELAND'S GAYEST SOCIETY MAGAZINE
VOL. 2. No. 3.
MAY, 1950.
PRICE: ONE SHILLING.
PAPAL DIGNITY FOR SON OF FAMOUS IRISH TENOR
Count and Countess McCormack, with their two children, John and Patricia. Mr. Cyril McCormack, son of the late Count McCormack, has been appointed a Papal Count. He lives at Booterstown, Dublin, and married, in 1944, Evelyn Patricia Mary, daughter of Mr. W. E. Eccles, Dunderry Park, Navan, County Meath.
(Photo: C. C. Fennell).
MAY, 1950

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AGENT FOR "HIS MASTER'S VOICE,"
"BELTONA," AND "WINNER" RECORDS & MACHINES.
TELEPHONE:
DUBLIN 21856.
The Gramophone Stores
Johnson's Court,
(BESIDE CLARENDON ST. CHURCH.)
GRAFTON STREET,
LOOK FOR ELECTRIC SIGN.
4 Proprietor,
H.L. MOISELLE.
Dublin, 12th. August 1950.
Father Senan
Church Street,
Dublin.
Dear Father,
You will find, with this letter a Photograph
which I'm sending along to you and Father Gerard...
I managed to get a few of them for my specials, and
hope you will KIN it..
I think that it appears in Strongs Life... but
am not sure ... My copy having been lost or what
is worse, stolen from the shop.
Hoping you and Father Gerard are in the pink,
Yours very Sincerely.,
H. Moiselle
.....
Lafayette lnd
(Aug 1950)
So Julius Senan T
Gerard

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McCormack's Widow
Milwaukee Visitor; to
Write Tenor's Memoirs
Hered Linzer Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE—A small Irish lady who doesn't seem to know the word "I" was in Milwaukee Wednesday to discuss the publication of her book about her husband, the late John McCormack, the Irish tenor. Mrs. McCormack is a friendly person with a quick laugh whose first word when the conversation turns to the personal is "John." It's always "John" and seldom "I".
Her brown eyes twinkled as she tried to sidestep the questions about her personal life and discuss John's instead. Her book on her husband will be published by Bruce sometime in fall.
Lily Foley who was someday to be Mrs. John McCormack was born in Dublin and educated in a convent school there. "I had a voice when I was very young," she admitted, "and would sing at concerts or charity bazaars. Now when John was a boy . . ."
How We Met
When she was thirteen or fourteen she began to study music more seriously and studied under Dr. Vincent O'Brien, head of the pro-Cathedral choir in Dublin. "John studied under Doctor O'Brien a few years later, but that was not how we met."
"I was going to sing at a concert in Athlone given by Mr. William Ludwig, that famous baritone and wonderful opera singer and John was to sing at the same concert. John caught a cold and thought he might not be introduced us he said 'John with that cold what you need is someone to take care of you—and here she is.'" And Ludwig introduced Lily Foley, young soprano to John McCormack, young tenor.
In St. Louis
"Later we were both engaged to sing at the St. Louis Exposition—that really dates us, doesn't it," her brown eyes twinkled. "I went out first and John came over later. That's where our romance really began—in St. Louis."
"Two years later we were married and John, still a student, took me back to Milan with him where he was studying under Sabatini. He used to take me to his singing lessons everyday because he said I was much too young to stay alone—especially in a country where I didn't know the language. John had a marvellous flare for languages."
After she was married she gave up her voice lessons. "At first I did think of studying more but then I thought one singer in the family was enough. As it turned out two babies and a famous husband were a handful."
Family
Besides their two children, Cyril
and Gwen, the McCormacks also raised ten children of Mrs. McCormack's brother and his wife who were lost at sea. The youngest one, just a baby at the time, they adopted.
From Milan they went to London and "we went there to get a job." During these first few years the McCormacks lived in a few rooms in a building where other students also lived. "John gradually made contacts, sang a few concerts until the time he sang 'I Hear You Calling Me.' (The title of the book.)
The story as told in the manuscript is that a young Irish composer had written the song but no publisher would touch it because of an extremely high passage in one section. They maintained no one could sing that high. McCormack could, sang it at a concert, and both he and the song were instant successes.
On the day of a concert Mrs. McCormack's big job, "was to keep the children quiet and not let them be boisterous. He'd be nervous, I'd be nervous. We were all nervous. I never thought I'd recover from his debut in Convent Garden. He was only 23, the youngest tenor ever to sing there."
Tours
The McCormacks would take their children with them on many of their concert tours. "Of course it entailed nurses and governesses and we had to keep them very much under control. Paderewski came up to me at the end of a voyage and complimented me saying, 'I've never traveled with such well-behaved children'. He then kissed Gwen on the forehead. I only wish she had been old enough so she could remember it. She was only five."
With all their traveling—they were around the world three times—the McCormacks managed to make the nine first Fridays seven times. "We tried many more times but didn't finish. Often it necessitated getting off trains, missing connections, going to strange out-of-the-way churches. We were both proud of our record."
Mrs. McCormack was dressed in a dark print dress and a black hat. Her brown eyes constantly noticed things and her face was quick to break into a smile. Her black hair has very little grey in it and as for her age, it's a secret, "I'd hate to date the children."

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In Memory of Famous Singer
Mr. Donal Murphy with the memorial to the late John Count McCormack which he designed and executed to the order of the Countess McCormack. The memorial is over Count McCormack's grave at Dean's Grange Cemetery, Co. Dublin. It is of Sicilian marble and stands nine feet high, bearing a bronze bust modelled on an early portrait of the great tenor.

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Syd Hen Je
Just Darey
John
Capuchun Annual
Count in Gomack
Sept 7th 1936.

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McCORMACK
MEMORIAL:
NO BACKING
(From Our Correspondent)
Athlone.
BECAUSE of lack of public support and divergence of opinion as to fund-raising methods the Count McCormack Memorial Committee, Athlone, has decided to dissolve.
The Committee was formed 12 months ago for the purpose of having a suitable memorial erected to John Count McCormack, the world-famous tenor, in his native town and to have his birthplace in The Bawn, Athlone, preserved as a national monument.
In response to appeals the Committee received one subscription only and that came from a patient in Peamount Sanatorium. They organised a concert and dance which left them a total sum of £37 1s 5½d. on hands.
This amount has been lodged in the Provincial Bank, Athlone, to be handed over to any subsequent Committee that may be formed for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of Count McCormack, and, if this does not take place within 12 months, the money is to be handed to the local conference of St. Vincent de Paul.
Officers of the Committee were: —President, Mr. F. J. Bond; Vice-President, Mr. F. J. Waters; Chairman U.D.C.; Hon. Treas., Mr. G. Watson; Hon. Sec., Mr. T. Derwin. The decision to dissolve the Committee was proposed by Mr. Waters and seconded by Mr. Watson.
It will be recalled that on the anniversary of the death of Count McCormack last month the Committee laid a wreath on his grave in Dean's Grange Cemetery.
A poposition made by Mr. Waters at Athlone U.D.C. meeting, that the Council's new housing scheme, nearing completion, be named Count McCormack Terrace was not seconded. The scheme was named Iona Road.