Yours sincerely,
Martin Cooke
I was fortunate to be born "Down Under" in Sydney,
Photo: Sydney from the air by pilot Michael Howard 2004
Australia on the 6th of January 1955 in a beautiful suburb called MANLY which is:
"SEVEN MILES FROM SYDNEY AND A THOUSAND MILES FROM CARE!"
photo:
my personal pilot
Michael Howard 2004
The beauty of Manly is world famous and a very popular tourist resort for overseas visitors.
photo John Bolton-Wood
Manly Corso
photo John Bolton Wood
The Manly Ferry
Twenty odd years ago I finally decided to attempt the pursuit of a full time singing career.
My love for music and singing has its origins in the great music of the Catholic Church and the thrilling sensations I received as a very small boy listening to the choir and organ on Sundays in the loft at Mary Immaculate Church in Manly.
Mary Immaculate Church Manly
However the roots of this "monumental" decision to become a professional singer go back to my high school days, culminating at the age of 16, in singing the title role in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera The Mikado in four performances at St Aloysius College in Sydney.
"The College By The Harbour"
Title of the book by Fr
David Strong. S.J.
St Aloysius' in the 1970's.
standing: N. Lush,
H. Snelgrove, P. Romano, M. Cooke, P. Donnelly, J. Grinter
seated:
J. Faassen, J. L’Estrange, P. Dyer
The 15th of July 1971 proved to be one of the most decisive days in my life. ays in my life.
Several of the cast went on to make professional careers: Nick Lush sang the role of Caiphas in the first Sydney production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Pat Donnelly sang in opera in England and France for many years and Paul Dyer is the conductor of the acclaimed Brandenburg Orchestra.
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The official program.
THE MIKADO - FINALE
I realised at that time that I wanted to be a singer and become the third generation of my family in professional theatre. I sensed even then that a singing career would not be an easy undertaking.
When my mother came to a stage orchestral rehearsal of the Mikado, she heard me sing for the first time and was totally flabbergasted as she had only heard the odd note wafting through the bathroom door.
She went home and informed my grandmother and
my aunt Joyce:
"the bastard can sing!"
My grandmother's immediate reply was:
"I'll pay for his first term of singing lessons!"
As one can gather from my mother's comments, I was regarded as a difficult child.
First day of school in 1959
Nanna was the most loving grandmother and the centre of the universe for our entire family.
Nanna Boots with mother (l) and aunts Joyce (m) and Patricia (r)
I must add that my mother was the second generation in the theatre in our family and an outstanding singer in the 1940's. She was known as:
"Australia's Vera Lynn."
The family now has an outstanding CD collection featuring her performances as a popular star on Humphery Bishop's 2KY radio show
"All Time Hit Parade."
please click on a song of your choice
Actually the first generation of the family in professional theatre was our aunt, Lily Molloy. Aunt Lily was a noted actress and comedienne in the early part of the 20th century and at the height of the silent movie era starred in the 1917 film:
"The Enemy Within"
with the famous Australian sportsman Snowy Baker.
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According to documentation from the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra, this film was a huge box office success. We are now fortunate to have a copy on video.
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ASF Video Sample HERE - Real Media Sample HERE
My ambition to become a singer proved to be - after much hard work and the usual setbacks - successful!
1993 at St Patrick's College Manly in a rehearsal for my first recital in 5 years in Australia.
Returning to my musical beginnings; after the Mikado success in 1971 I joined the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, performed in Eisteddfods, led the choir in our parish church and sang at weddings.
As my voice began to develop during 1973, my mother contacted Evelyn Hall de Izal the noted Australian contralto and asked her to accept me as a pupil.
Evelyn was the widow of the acclaimed Spanish baritone Franco Izal who had taught my mother singing in the 1940's.
Evelyn Hall de Izal circa 1973.
Evelyn Hall became a major figure in my life and taught me from 1973 until her death in 1980.
In the space between 1973 and 2010 much has taken place in my life some of which maybe of interest and you can read this by clicking on one of the various links.
photo: HannahCooke
Lake Olching (Olchingersee) only 5 minutes walk from our house, in late summer.
Bergenw
ei
CCosmo
Molly
I hope you enjoy the site and Viel Spaß!!