• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE4804

Benstead, Lulu

  • Benstead, Lucille
(1891 – 1983) Lulu Benstead
  • Born 1891, Alice Springs
  • Died 1983
  • Occupation Opera singer, Performer

Summary

Lulu Benstead began her singing career in Coolgardie and performed from 1907 until 1911 throughout the goldfields and New South Wales. She retired in 1934.

Details

Lulu Benstead was born in Alice Springs the daughter of goldfields pioneer Bill (William) Benstead and Triphenia Benstead. She studied with Mrs Jack Wilson in Coolgardie and performed regularly in the goldfields. Indeed, the Western Mail newspaper described Coolgardie as the ‘…musical centre of the goldfields’. She also toured Australia, performing in Sydney and in country areas with the Lulu Benstead Company.

The Coolgardie Lulu Benstead Continental Musical Education Fund Committee was set up in 1907 to raise money for Lulu’s further musical education. In 1911 Lulu travelled to Paris and Berlin with the assistance of money raised from benefit concerts in Western Australia and donations from her Western Australian supporters. A report of one benefit concert in 1909 described her performance thus: ‘…a brilliant display of her beautiful soprano voice, and added another laurel to her luxuriant wreath of success’.
A successful entertainer, Lulu performed in the USA, Canada and England singing vaudeville, comedy, comic opera, burlesque and revue. She retired from the stage in 1934, married Englishman Mr Stelling and lived in England.

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Digital resources

Lulu Benstead
  • Title: Lulu Benstead
  • Type: Image
  • Description: Lulu Benstead stood on the right
  • Date: 3 May, 2023

Published resources

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