Singers of Renown

for forty two years John Cargher brought Australians into the world of opera. His books and his programmes have been an education. He was never an expert, he never wanted to be, he was what he said he was a member of the audience sharing his joy with us. But even if he wasnt a musicologist (what a word!) he knew so much more then we did and wearing his knowledge lightly he taught us.

I started listening regularly in Cooma when we only had one ABC channel- regional radio and was always pleased that we the regional listeners got an extra song. And then his programme came on Radio National and I listened then. I still can not sing, I still can not tell different voices apart but I know that I liked the glorious sounds that he presented.

And now after a life of 89 years and a world of experience from birth in East End of London childhood in Germany and then return to England to be a tool maker and to RAF ground crews and to Australia Mr Cargher has died.

I will miss his programmes.

HE showed us so much. God rest his soul