Possibly born in Germany, Charles Nagel joined the British army after school, eventually serving with the 97th Regiment. After retiring from the army in 1837 as a Captain he emigrated to Australia, becoming a landowner, a NSW magistrate (1842-) and a public servant (1846-). Nagel also wrote plays and music theatre works - with several being performed at Sydney's Royal Victoria Theatre. He is best known for The Mock Catalini in Little Puddleton(burletta, 1842) with songs set to his own music; the operatic drama Merry Freaks in Troub'lous Times (with Isaac Nathan, 1843); and Shakesperoconglommorofunnidogammoniae (burlesque, 1844).
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
