Dame Eva ‘never forgot her roots’
Date published: 16 June 2011
PROUD Oldhamer . . . Dame Eva Turner was made a freeman of the borough in 1982
Opera star earned worldwide fame... but remained a proud Oldhamer
OLDHAMERS can learn more about the life of Werneth-born soprano Dame Eva Turner, the country’s first international opera star, in her first biography.
A Life on the High Cs, written by opera star Linda Esther Gray, follows the career of the world famous singer, who died in 1990, aged 98.
Dame Eva, who went to Werneth School, famously starred in the Puccini opera Turandot — a role she made her own — in Italy in 1926 and two years later at Covent Garden to spectacular critical acclaim.
And although she found fame and fortune across the world, Eva never forgot her Oldham roots.
Linda, who was taught by Dame Eva for 20 years, said: “She was so very fond of Oldham and never forgot where she came from. There are lots of photos in the book of Dame Eva in Oldham.
“Her father, who worked at the Manor Mill, was transferred to a mill in Bristol when she was 10 but Eva always cherished her time in Oldham and spoke about the town often.”
Eva’s first formal singing lessons were with Dan Rootham, teacher of the famous contralto Clara Butt, and she studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1911 to 1914.
The proud Oldhamer, who was made a freeman of the borough in 1982, famously attributed her strong voice to a technique she had developed as a youngster where she taught herself to take 12 steps while breathing in, walk 12 more while holding it and another 12 while breathing out.
She began her career in the chorus of the Carl Rosa Opera Company and steadily took on larger roles in productions of Madame Butterfly, Carmen, La Bohème, Aida and Tosca.
She retired from the stage in 1948 after entertaining troops during the Second World War and was offered the position of visiting professor of voice at the University of Oklahoma a year later.
Her initial one-year contract was extended for nine years and she returned to London in 1959, where she was appointed professor of singing at the Royal Academy of Music, a position she held until aged well into her 80s.
In retirement she was closely involved with the International Association of Wagner Societies in the UK and elsewhere.
Dame Eva was a frequent visitor to musical productions at Covent Garden right up until her death and she celebrated her 90th birthday with a gala concert at the renowned venue.
She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1962.
Linda said: “Writing this biography was exciting, thought provoking, moving and fun.
“Dame Eva lived a very long, full life, being born in the Victorian Age and surviving well into the reign of Elizabeth II.
“Writing the book and bringing all the information together was a labour of love. It was as if Dame Eva whispered in my ear, helping me along as I occasionally wondered if I was up to the task.”
A Life on the High Cs (£30) is available from Amazon or from www.dameevaturner.com and comes with a CD of Dame Eva’s finest work.
