Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney - records, ca. 1930-1973

MLMSS 7091/Box 1
MLMSS 7091/Boxes 2X-3X

fonds

ca. 1930 - 1973

Textual Records, Graphic Materials

152192

0.8 metres of textual material (1 box, 2 outsize boxes) includes photographs

Various choral societies flourished in Sydney from the 1830s, and a Philharmonic Society operated, without an official structure, for several years during the 1850s. The Sydney Philharmonic Society was constituted in 1885 to further the cultural life of Sydney, following the demise of the Sydney Musical Union. The inaugural concert was given in the Exhibition Building in October 1885, when the German pianist and composer Max Vogrich conducted Schumann's 'Paradise and the Peri'. By charter granted on 9 December 1909, it became the Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney. Early conductors included Henri Kowalski, Roberto Hazon, Joseph Bradley, Howard Carr and Arnold Mote. Over the years the Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney survived numerous financial crises. The advent of radio in 1932 caused the suspension of 1933 concert performances for many months, and the introduction of television in the 1950s saw a further decline in support for the Society, which ceased performances in the city, and presented programs in Sydney suburban areas. In the early 1970s attempts were made to revive the Society, which had until then remained an amateur organisation. It presented its first concert season as a professional group in 1973, with Pierre J A Lastelle as Music Director.

CORRESPONDENCE

1972-1973; Correspondence. Includes letters of resignation from choir members and general correspondence concerning performance arrangements and publicity. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)

FILES

1972; 'Choir rehearsal and concert attendance records with receipts'. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)
1973; 'Judith Haining - work file'. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)
?1972-1973; Miscellaneous records. Includes stationery samples and notes. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)
1973; 'Notices for choir'. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)
1972-1973; 'R.P.S.S. Auditions'. Includes correspondence and audition sheets. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)
1973; 'R.P.S.S. Choir Members/Dress'. Includes lists of choir members, rehearsal and performance dates and rosters. Also includes correspondence relating to purchase and distribution of standard dress for female choir members. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)

PROGRAMS

1961-1973; Programs, mainly for the Society's performances from 1968-1973. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/1)

ATTENDANCE BOOKS

1934-1971; Attendance Books (11) for the different sections of the choir. Incomplete. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/2X)

PHOTOGRAPHS

193-?; Large photograph of Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney choir. In costume. Performance unidentified. (Call No.: MLMSS 7091/3X)

Earlier records of the Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney are held by the National Library of Australia at manuscript reference number NLA MS 5355.