The son of Maurizio Giovanni Lardelli, a music professor from Brighton University in England, composer and pianist/organist Guglielmo Enrico Lardelli (F.R.C.O.) first came to Australia in 1875 as an eighteen year old. During the course of his association with the country he composed hundreds of songs and pianoforte pieces, wrote the music for several theatrical monologues, and collaborated on at least one comic opera (Katherine, 1895).
Although he returned to England several times, including two five year periods (1876-1881 and 1896-1900), Lardelli's musical career was mostly undertaken in Australia. He spent a number of years in Sydney (1897-96, 1906-08), Perth (1903-06) and Adelaide (1906), but was also associated with several regional centres during his time in Australia - notably the Hunter valley city of Maitland (1882-85), Grafton (1901) and Bathurst (1902-03), and the far north Queensland city of Townsville (1908-1910). At various times he held positions as church organist and choirmaster and as a conductor - including choral societies and orchestras. Lardelli was also actively involved in teaching (primarily piano and voice), and held an array of administrative positions with various colleges and official organisations.
Married twice, his first wife was from an established Maitland family and frequently performed as a soprano with husband (as did his son from a young age). She was also involved in teaching with her husband. Lardelli, whose health was often described as 'fragile' died in Charters Towers (Queensland) in 1910, leaving behind his second wife and three children.
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive; and Richard Ward. 'Lardelli: The Changing Fortunes of a Wandering Signor' Sydney Organ Journal 45.4 (Spring) 2014, pp.23-29]
