1. Florence Austral was an Australian operatic dramatic soprano renowned for her interpretation of the most demanding Wagnerian female roles, although she never gained the opportunity to appear at the Bayreuth Festival or New York's Metropolitan Opera.
Florence Austral Mary Wilson was born in Richmond, Victoria on 26 April 1892.
Florence Austral was the daughter of a Swedish carpenter who had changed his name from Wilhelm Lindholm to William Wilson, and the dressmaker Helena Mary, nee Harris.
Florence Austral's father died in 1895 and her mother set up in business.
Florence Austral was discovered by the choirmaster Rev Edward Sugden at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Palmerston Street, Carlton, Melbourne.
Florence Austral went to New York in 1919 to study further with Gabriele Sibella.
Florence Austral's voice impressed influential listeners and she was offered a contract to sing at the Metropolitan Opera; however, she declined the Met offer to gain stage experience in England, and never again had a chance to sing with the New York company.
Florence Austral duly went to London where she was promoted by the leading British bass of the day, Robert Radford.
Florence Austral made her Covent Garden debut on 16 May 1922 as Brunnhilde in Wagner's Die Walkure, and later in the same role in Siegfried.
Florence Austral shared this role with Frida Leider, who received greater acclaim due to her superior acting skills.
In 1923, Florence Austral appeared with Dame Nellie Melba, who called her "one of the wonder voices of the world", praising the purity of her tone and the gleaming power of her high notes.
The famous recording engineer and producer at His Master's Voice, Fred Gaisberg, said: "In the early twenties Florence Austral was the most important recording artist we had, thanks to the beauty, power and compass of her voice".
Florence Austral recorded operatic arias, as well as songs, sacred music and oratorio extracts.
Florence Austral can be heard in notable duets opposite Feodor Chaliapin, Miguel Fleta, Tudor Davies and Walter Widdop, which employ both the acoustic and electrical recording processes.
Florence Austral often sang in the Ring operas in Philadelphia, and in concert under the conductor Fritz Reiner.
Florence Austral was negotiating to sing in Vienna, but this did not eventuate.
Florence Austral became a principal singer with the esteemed Berlin State Opera in 1930.
Florence Austral returned to Britain in 1939, and appeared in many benefit concerts during the early part of World War II, before her illness forced her to retire in 1940.
Florence Austral died of cerebrovascular disease in a church home for the aged at Mayfield, Newcastle, on 15 May 1968, aged 76.