The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1954, Side 32

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Spring 1954
cipal Theatre. During 1945 at the
United Nations conference, Leona was
among the very few high school stu-
dents under 20 who were picked as
guides and ushers for the conference.
Leona was a Spanish speaking guide,
and she found it most impressive to be
“in on” the beginnings of the United
Nations.
Leona Gordon has been described
by the press as a “distinctive Nordic
beauty, of Icelandic heritage, with
golden hair, blue eyes and fair com-
plexion. Her charm and the natural
beauty of her voice captivates and de-
lights laymen and connoisseurs alike.
As a member of the San Francisco
Opera Association she has sung under
most of the world’s greatest conduc-
tors. . . . Fine musicianship and artist-
ic integrity have made her radio and
television appearances outstanding suc-
cesses . . . Recent appearances in the
important role of “Nanetta” in Verdi’s
“Falstaff” given at Stamford Univer-
sity, brought a tremendous tribute
from leading critics, famous musicians
and audiences of thousands. . . . The
impression is growing that Leona Odd-
stad Gordon is a singer of unlimited
potentialities, a bright star in the
musical galaxy”.
Leona’s husband, Marcus Gordon
was a child prodigy, giving his first
concert in S. F. when nine years old.
At the age of fifteen he auditioned for
Josef Llehvine in S. F., who was so
impressed that he took Marcus back
with him to New York, where he
studied on a Fellowship at the Julliard
School, graduating at nineteen. Mr.
Gordon has concertized throughout
tfie United States, Canada, Europe,
Alaska and the Hawaiin Islands. His
three solo recitals in New York’s Town
Hall immediately projected him into
the front rank of American pianists.
A recent appearance as guest artist
with the San Francisco Symphony
Orchestra before a record-breaking,
standing-room-only audience earned
Marcus Gordon one of the warmest and
most spontaneous ovations ever accord-
ed an artist in the Bay area.
Leona and Marcus Gordon have a
little daughter called Marcia Lee,
which is a contraction of both their
names.
During their November visit to the
Hawaiin Islands they performed also
on the Island of Kaui, and they expect
to make other visits to the Islands.
H. D.
Miss Shirley Eloise Kjernested,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kjerne-
sted of Oakview, Manitoba, was
awarded the Red River Chapter’s
Scholarship, Imperial Order Daughters
of the Empire by the Educational Sec-
retary, Mrs. Kristbjorn Freeman, at
the annual meeting. This award was
given for high scholastic standing and
good citizenship. Shirley is a pupil at
the Manitoba Normal School.
ICELAND’S THOUSAND YEARS
This popular book is still available.
There is a steady demand for it at the
Keflavik Airport in Iceland as inter-
national travellers wish to know some-
thing about Iceland, its history and
literature. Special price of the un-
bound copy is $1.00 and neatly bound
with title in gold leaf $2.00, post paid.
Order from: Mrs. H. F. Danielson, 869
Garfield St. Winnipeg, Canada