Remembering Donald Munro

 

 

Obituaries & Testimonials
from
Family, Friends and Colleagues

 

Patrick Thomas MBE - Australian Conductor

There’s no doubt that Donald contributed massively to the younger generation of singers and to the wider opera world, and with unfailing charm and humility.
I recall many meetings with him in the early days, and also from my later association with the Wellington City Opera and NZ singers in general.
Not once did I hear a word that was less than affectionate and complimentary regarding him.
Indeed, his unfailing charm was the ‘cream on the cake’ of his insightful vocal skills,
both teaching and performing - skills so eloquently and generously passed on to his students and fellow artists.
Don left a fine legacy, via you and many other distinguished singers,
who for long have graced the stages of the world’s opera houses.................................Vale Donald.

 

Narelle Hissey-mezzo-soprano, teacher and former vocal student

Donald was a dear friend, teacher and mentor to me, he gave me so much in wisdom and strength through some very difficult times.
His teaching methods were second to none. While it has been hard to locate him he was often in my thoughts, just sad Iwas a bit late. Thanks Martin for letting me know.

 

William Moxley baritone, choral conductor, teacher and former vocal student

I arrived in Sydney from Brisbane in 1985 to become a member of The Song Company. Although grateful for the vocal tuition I had received at Queensland Conservatorium there was nevertheless the knowledge that more needed to be done. Enquiries made of several of my colleagues prompted the same response – Donald Munro.

Donald impressed immediately as a man and a teacher. His ability to diagnose and prescribe with uncanny accuracy, yet always seasoned with gentleness and humour, marked him as someone very special. His sagacious encouragement when things were not optimal and praise when warranted were unerringly ethical and always well targeted.

In Donald I had a teacher who was able to help me make more sense of what my previous teachers had attempted to impart; for the first time I was able to experience a truly free production and to feel at ease with my voice. Donald had generously offered each second lesson gratis (in keeping with my income at that time), and I knew that he had a deep interest in helping me to realise my potential as a singer.

The last time I saw Donald was at a concert given by the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, led at that time by his daughter Lucinda. There was a fine soprano soloist on the programme that evening (I regret I have forgotten her name). Into his eighties by then, Donald remarked to me “You know, Bill, I’m still learning about this stuff”. I have no doubt that Donald continued to learn for years after that time, and I frequently share that moment with my students.

I am deeply grateful for Donald’s influence in my life. I was privileged to know him and to be taught by him. His professional and personal influence will remain with me always.

William Moxey

Patrick Power ONZM tenor and teacher

Donald was a good friend of my Uncle Newton Goodson who first met Donald in England and then sang several roles for Donald's NZ Opera Company. My first experience of opera was the Amahl and the Night visitors in Wellington in 1956 which delighted me and the Marriage of Figaro a couple of years later which bamboozled me,though I loved the singing.

Newton felt very strongly about James Robertson's bad treatment of Donald over the artistic management of the company that he described Robertson once thus: "Robertson? He spent his war interrogating German Airmen fished up out of the Channel. Should have stuck to it...all the bastard was good at !" Which was the strongest dislike I ever heard Newton express of anyone. He considered Donald "a beautiful singer" and recommended to me that I should seek advice from Donald when I first came to Adelaide for the competitions in 1975. Which I duly did and received really wise and useful advice. Little did I realise that I would be teaching in the same room at the Con 34 years later. I visited him again in Manly to thank him when I was there for AO's Pearl Fishers.

A number of the chorus were having lessons with Donald and I went out with one of them. He was so elegant and charming in his 80's.I was greatly impressed by the creases in his trousers and the bowl of flowers on the table. But more impressive was listening to him teach and the amazing sharpness of his wit. I greatly regret not making it down to Willunga to see him. The closest I got was when he was leaving Elder Hall after a lunchtime concert last year, but as Lucinda was helping him into a vehicle I felt I should not impose.

I intend to hang his portrait in my studio,where I am aware of teaching in the footsteps of such fine men as Clive Carey, Arnold Matters and Donald Munro OBE. Thank you Donald!

Patrick Power ONZM

Helen Woollett former student

When I first met Donald via some indirect recommendation that I cannot recall, I didn't realise what a rich and varied experience he'd had.
After quite a few lessons he explained that he was surprised I had found him out of the blue because he had only just moved to Sydney in what must have been sometime in 1983. I was on the hunt for a new singing teacher having just left the Sydney Con. while also studying law at UNSW. My voice was in very bad condition and it was a slow start but he was very patient. I remember singing Che Faro from Orpheus and Euridice quite badly on several occasions. He was really a very modest man who didn't talk about all his previous accomplishments. Gradually I met Kathryn and Lucinda, and thanks to Kathryn attended some performances by the Australian Opera. I remember quite a few things about the flat in Fairlight and my lessons there. He had some wonderful original music, Rachmaninof songs amongst others, which he'd surprise me with. He also showed me a photo of his debut at the Wigmore Hall. I studied with Donald for 2 - 3 years then after saving up enough money made the big trip to the UK. In the end I didn't pursue a professional career in singing but I still have very fond memories of my studies with Donald. It's very hard to find the right teacher to suit your stage in life and vocal development. I feel Donald was very sympathetic to that, as they say in Germany 'sympatisch'. He understood his pupils, when they may not really have appreciated it at the time.

 

Obituary from the Dominion Post Saturday February 11, 2012

This obituary unfortunately contains some factual errors