What a Lulu!

Thanks to Alice Springs historian Josie Petrick for forwarding this story exploring the fascinating link between singers Siobahn Stagg, soon to visit Alice Springs, and one of Alice Springs’ first talent exports, Lulu Benstead.

Lulu is believed to be the first white child to be born in in Alice Springs, on 5 February 1891.

With a voice of ʻangelic purity and beauty’ (The Age, 2010), Siobhan Stagg is one of Australia’s brightest vocal talents.

This month, history comes full circle when the young soprano performs at the Araluen Arts Centre with tenor Boyd Owen on September 23. Siobhan’s cousin (one hundred and two years her senior) was acclaimed soprano Lucille (Lulu) Benstead, who was born in Alice Springs and went on to have an international performance career. Lulu’s parents were William and Tryphena Benstead, who were pioneers of Central Australia. The couple ran Alice Springs’ first hotel, the Stuart Arms, and their legacy is remembered through their namesakes: Tryphena Gorge and Benstead Street.

The link between the two sopranos was only discovered recently by Siobhan’s mother, geneologist Helen Stagg, of Mildura:

“William Raines, a pioneer is early South Australia, is our common ancestor. Research on Lucille’s early career has uncovered many similarities between the two young singers,” Helen said.

On a recent choir tour to London, Siobhan met up with Lulu’s nephew, Stuart Benstead:

“The Bensteads were a close-knit family and Stuart knew Lulu really well. He said he noticed striking similarities between the two of us, as well as a physical likeness,” Siobhan said.

Though separated by three generations, the parallels between the two singers continue. Siobhan was also born in a rural area of Australia before moving to a larger city to establish her singing career. Following a similar direction to Lulu, Siobhan’s star is on the rise after recent success in the Meistersinger Competition in Austria, where she took out both First Prize and the Audience Choice Award.

“I’m delighted to be performing in Alice Springs. I haven’t had the chance to visit the Northern Territory before. I can’t wait to trace Lulu’s footsteps and discover this gorgeous part of the world,” Siobhan said.

Jose also wrote about Lulu in her book The History of Alice Springs through Landmarks and Street Names:

Lulu loved to sing. When Dame Clara Butt heard the child sing, she advised that her voice should be trained. Lulu’s parents sent her to a convent boarding school so that her education would be worthy of her talent. The nuns appreciated her gift and she sang at all the services. However, homesickness overcame her; she ran away and went home.

Lulu, Julian and their younger sister Florence Ann (Faby) were show orientated and held concerts for the miners to raise funds for Lulu’s singing lessons in Sydney and then Paris. Their older brother Geoffrey died at an early age.

Lulu adopted the professional name of Lucille. Lucille saying in her first concert in London on the same programme as Dame Clara Butt. She became world-famous and entertainment in noted concert halls throughout England Europe and America. She also sang to troops in both world wars in England and overseas, often at great danger to herself.

Lucille particularly enjoyed singing Negro spiritual songs like ‘Mammy’. The words and music of ‘Chloe’ were written especially for her during an American tour.

She gave singing lessons in London for her last 30 years, almost unto her death, aged 92.

When Lucille went to Paris, her family moved to England to be near her. Bill became a livestock advisor and travelled the world extensively. He died in London in 1940 and his wife two years later.

If you are interested in acquiring a copy of The history of Alice Springs Through Landmarks And Street Names and learning more about the people who have created Alice Springs, you can e-mail Josie at jpetrick@westnet.com.au

Siobhan Stagg appears in concert with Boyd Owen at the Araluen Arts Centre on September 23. Tickets are available through the Araluen Box Office. Phone: (08) 8951 1122.