Great Australian Voices - Marjorie Lawrence [4CD]

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Great Australian Voices - Marjorie Lawrence

Finally, the most historically important offering from Désirée Records - MARJORIE LAWRENCE (GAV 010)

This release contains arias, ensembles and scenes from Marjorie Lawrence's most heralded roles - Brünnhilde, Ortrud, Salome, Senta, Sieglinde, Kundry, Carmen, Alceste, Rachel, along with many songs from a wide range of composers and styles. Most importantly, this collection includes her most sought-after unpublished recordings - the 1945 Columbias and her own (unused) soundtrack recordings made for the MGM film "Interrupted Melody". These original acetates were in Lawrence's own personal archive - from her estate - and are the only known recordings in existence. We're delighted to also include the Percy Grainger folksong arrangements from the Carnegie Hall concert she performed with Grainger himself on the podium as well as numerous rarities from her repertoire.

Désirée Records is proud to make these available for the first time along with a host of Australian broadcasts and interviews. From her earliest test pressings in 1928 recorded at the age of 19, through to her final Australian concert in 1966 to her final singing appearance (performing the Piaf song "La vie en rose") at a fundraising dinner in 1973.

Marjorie Lawrence (1909- 1979) was a sensation. She was a sensation in every aspect of her remarkable career. From her competition wins in her teen years, through her career in Paris, an absolute sensational debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York at age 28, through her physical immobilisation to her heralded ‘comeback’, her work entertaining the ‘troops’, her seemingly endless encouragement of Australian talent and work as a teacher of singing, Marjorie Lawrence’s celebrity shone brighter than a beacon light.

As always, this 4 CD set in the luxurious book format, includes a 60 page booklet complete with biographical notes and rare photographs.