Scrapbook of Italian opera and classical music concert handbills and programs for performances in Australia by W.S. Lyster’s Royal Italian Opera Company, 1878-1881, featuring Alice Charbonnet, Amy Sherwin, Rosina Carandini, and others

MLMSS 8266/Box 1X

fonds

1878-1881

Textual Records, Ephemera

152313

0.38 metres of textual material (1 outsize box)

Opera in 19th century Australia shared the evening's bill with plays, musical comedies, 'burlesques' (satires of existing operas) and novelty acts. All classes of society went to the theatre.

The 1850s saw more performances of Italian operas in the original language. This marked the beginning of the format that was to dominate Sydney opera for the next century, opera presented by touring companies.

The most prominent of the many touring companies over the next decades were those of the American impresario W.S. Lyster’s Royal Italian Opera Company, and the Melba–JC Williamson Grand Opera companies. Lyster brought his companies to Sydney between 1861 and 1880, a period that came to be known as 'the golden age of Australian opera.'

Reference:
Dictionary of Sydney. http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org/ (accessed 16 February 2012)

Presented to Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts, Sydney Opera House by Library Service of WA

Scrapbook of Australian opera and concert handbills and programs, 1878-1881. Includes performances of Italian opera by sopranos Rosina Carandini, Camilla Urso, Carlotta Tasca, members of the Royal Italian Opera Company and Lyster's Grand Company, and classical music by Maggie Elmbald, Johannes Elmblad, Signor Ercole Ortori, Alice Charbonnet and Amy Sherwin

Out of copyright: Created before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information upgraded as part of the Manuscripts Unprocessed eRecords Project 2011-2012