Scrapbook, programs and photographs relating to Dorothy Helmrich and Arts Council of Australia, ca. 1919-1962

MLMSS 8253

fonds

ca. 1919-1962

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Notated Music, Photographs, Clippings, Ephemera

152206

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box) - printed

Dorothy Jane Adele Helmrich (1889-1984), one of Australia's leading mezzo-soprano lieder singers and arts administrator, was born in Sydney, N.S.W. In 1889 Lady Cooper became her patron, arranging for singing lessons at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music with Stefan Mavrogordato, and then at the Royal College of Music, London (1919-22) and the London School of Opera. Her teacher Sir George Henschel arranged Helmrich’s début at the Wigmore Hall, London. Provincial engagements followed. She toured widely in Britain and Europe, as well as America, and performed at the Salzburg Festival.

In 1936, Helmrich toured Australia for the Australian Broadcasting Commission; she also performed in New Zealand. In 1941 she accepted a post at the Sydney Conservatorium and remained on the staff, as a respected vocal coach specialising in lieder, until 1974.

In 1943, on the basis of earlier war work in England, Helmrich founded the Australian Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (C.E.M.A), renamed the Arts Council of Australia in 1948. She was president of the New South Wales division until 1963. In 1959, Dorothy Helmrich was awarded the O.B.E. for her services to the Arts Council of Australia. She died on 1 September 1984 at Strathfield.

BOX 1
Scrapbook of newscuttings and ABC publicity relating to Dorothy Helmrich Australian and international tours and performances, ca. 1936-1962

Schubert printed sheet music with translations by Sir Robert Garran and photocopies of ABC broadsheet relating to broadcasting of Dorothy Helmrich’s ‘Song Cycle' Series with draft notes and annotations, ca. 1941

Programs relating to performances by Dorothy Hemrich in Sydney, London and Europe, 1919-1954

Three photographs Dorothy Helmrich, includes two portraits and one mounted group photograph of Kendall String Quartet, ca. 1928

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