Maritana single work   musical theatre   burlesque   humour  
Alternative title: Mary Tanner
Adaptation of Maritana Edward Fitzball , 1845 single work musical theatre
Issue Details: First known date: 1866... 1866 Maritana
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Maritana is a grand opera in three acts, composed by William Vincent Wallace (1812-1865) with a libretto by Edward Fitzball (1792-1873). It was adapted expressly for Christy's Minstrels by W. M. Akhurst and was described in the Argus as 'the nigger opera of Mary Tanner' (27 August 1866, p.5).

Production Details

  • 1866: Polytechnic Hall, Melbourne, 25 August - 1 September.

    • Music Director Linley Norman.
    • Troupe Christy's Minstrels.
    • Cast incl. Geraldine Warden, Sig. R. Abecco, Thomas H. Rainford, E. Harvey, R. Sandford, H. Raynor, H. Leslie.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

The Weakening Force of Origin : Reputations and Allegiances of Musicians in Colonial Australia Roger Covell , 2010 single work criticism
— Appears in: Australian Studies , vol. 2 no. 2010;
'While all lives reflect specific elements of their times to some degree, the lives of musicians in the Western tradition as they intersected Australia's colonial history are often emphatic in declaring this relationship. Earlier arrivals tended to be escaping from debt or notoriety, such as William Vincent Wallace or Isaac Nathan. Nathan, however, coincided in time and sympathy with a brief period of pre-goldrush idealism of an inclusive kind and contributed to that idealism. Musicians in Australia's early colonial period tended to be defined by how and why they left Europe; later arrivals were more like to gain renown from actual accomplishment when post-goldrush affluence beckoned them. Early colonial society required no musical professionals other than versatile military bandsmen. In contrast, the astonishing popularity of touring opera from the 1860s onwards created a local market for swiftly demonstrable skill and prompted colonial emulation, reaching its summit in the career of Melba.' (Author's abstract)
Editorial 1866 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 August 1866; (p. 5)

— Review of Maritana W. M. Akhurst , 1866 single work musical theatre
Editorial 1866 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 August 1866; (p. 5)

— Review of Maritana W. M. Akhurst , 1866 single work musical theatre
The Weakening Force of Origin : Reputations and Allegiances of Musicians in Colonial Australia Roger Covell , 2010 single work criticism
— Appears in: Australian Studies , vol. 2 no. 2010;
'While all lives reflect specific elements of their times to some degree, the lives of musicians in the Western tradition as they intersected Australia's colonial history are often emphatic in declaring this relationship. Earlier arrivals tended to be escaping from debt or notoriety, such as William Vincent Wallace or Isaac Nathan. Nathan, however, coincided in time and sympathy with a brief period of pre-goldrush idealism of an inclusive kind and contributed to that idealism. Musicians in Australia's early colonial period tended to be defined by how and why they left Europe; later arrivals were more like to gain renown from actual accomplishment when post-goldrush affluence beckoned them. Early colonial society required no musical professionals other than versatile military bandsmen. In contrast, the astonishing popularity of touring opera from the 1860s onwards created a local market for swiftly demonstrable skill and prompted colonial emulation, reaching its summit in the career of Melba.' (Author's abstract)

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

Note:

This entry has been sourced from research undertaken by Dr Clay Djubal into Australian-written popular music theatre (ca. 1850-1930). See also the Australian Variety Theatre Archive

Details have also been derived in part from the Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia: 1850-1869.

Last amended 9 Oct 2014 13:15:48
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