Vocal score of Edgar Bainton's 'The pearl tree : an opera phantasy in two acts', signed by performers, 1944

MLMSS 8851

fonds

1944

Manuscript Notated Music, Textual Records

1017388

0.05 metres of textual material (1 box)

Edgar Bainton was Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music from 1934 to 1946. He founded the Conservatorium's Opera School and exerted a significant influence on Sydney's musical life through his teaching and conducting.

In 1944, Bainton conducted the first performance of his opera 'The Pearl Tree' at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. The libretto, written by R. C. Trevelyan, was based on a Hindu legend. The score was praised by Neville Cardus, who found the performance 'one of the richest and most potential seeds ever sown for the future of music in this country'. A double cast supported six performances, with many professional or semi-professional singers participating such as Dorothy Helmrich, Harold Williams, Isolda Hill, Stanley Clarkson and Raymond Nilsson. The choruses of male and female voices and a full orchestra were directed by Florent Hoogstoel, except for the opening night which was conducted by the composer.

References:
Australian Dictionary of Biography http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bainton-edgar-leslie-5101 (accessed 11 February 2013)

Sounds from the stables : The story of Sydney's Conservatorium / Diane Collins. Sydney : Allen & Unwin, c2001

A bound printed vocal score (173 pages, reproduced from manuscript) in the hand of an unidentified copyist, presumably owned by Fred Angles whose name is written on the outside front cover, with the signatures of 19 performers from the first performance inside the front cover.