I am researching the life and career of Lucille Benstead. Lucille (Lulu) is related to me on my maternal side through William Rains, (see Family History Tab on this website.) She was born in Stuart Town now known as Alice Springs Australia on Feb. 5 1891 and died at Westminster London, January 7 1983.

In 1891 the Benstead family moved to the Western Australia goldfields when Lulu was an infant. Apparently, Mrs Benstead had a lovely voice and would most likely have encouraged her daughter to sing also. Daughter Fabbie and son Geoffrey also took up stage careers. According to an interview with Lulu published in the Sunday Times (Perth) Nov 6 1910, she gave her first recital at a children’s’ concert at the age of 5 at Norseman but it was  under the tuition of the nuns at the Dominican Convent in Cue, Western Australia, that she gained her first formal knowledge of music.  Her voice was noted in various newspapers at the time as having a special quality with great potential. Mrs Jack Wilson, her teacher, presented Lucille to Dame Clara Butt, visiting European Contralto who was in Perth in 1907. Dame Clara said Lucille had an amazingly beautiful soprano voice and should receive further tuition in Europe. However, funds were raised for her to study in Sydney at first under the tutelage of Signor Steffani. Further fundraising concerts took place when Steffani suggested she go to Europe to further her career.  This she did and Lulu forged a successful musical career in England Europe and America.

A link showing Lucille greeting wounded soldiers at the Palladium c 1920

The Australian War Memorial website has the photo below. Lucille Benstead was very generous in supporting charitable causes and the war effort:

“Miss Lucille Benstead, an Australian soprano, with some wounded AIF soldiers, at a party she gave for them and their friends. From the left they are Lieutenant W.C. Godfrey MC (NSW), Gunner Hitchman (Qld), Miss Benstead, Private (Pte) McKay (Qld) and Pte Cline (WA). The location of the party is not known.” (Donor G. Henderson)

Any information about Lucille’s career on stage would be welcomed on the Contact me page.

 

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