Hearing the Music
of Early New South Wales
Concert Ten
The tenth Sydney concert, for Harriet Jones’ Benefit, was held on Monday 30 October 1826 in the School Room of the Old Court House on Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Attendees included a number of naval, military, and civil officers, and The Monitor reported ‘it was a pleasing sight to see the brave defenders of our country relaxing from the toils of war and giving way to innocent hilarity’. According to The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, the concert ‘was most respectably attended. Wealth, beauty, and fashion were congregated together, and rendered the scene truly interesting’. The final numbers of the ‘King’s Anthem’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ were received with cheers ‘from a people truly devoted to their king and country’.
Program
First Part
Overture
Hyacinthe JADIN (1776-1800)
La Chasse
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Performers: Band of the 3rd Regiment; Thomas Kavanagh (master, clarinet)
Song
Song
John STEVENSON (1761-1833)
Dearest Ellen (When the Rosebud of Summer its Beauties Bestowing)
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Performers: Harriet Jones (soprano vocalist)
Comic Song
Comic Song
Composer not identified.
The Calais Packet (Trip to Calais by Water)
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Performers: Mr. C. Edwards (vocalist)
Comic Song
Composer not identified.
Sweet Kitty Clover
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Performers: George Paul (vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)
Song
Composer not identified.
There’s Nae Luck About the House
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Performers: Harriet Jones (soprano vocalist)
Song
Finale
God Save the King followed by Rule Britannia​
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Performers: Band of the 3rd Regiment; Thomas Kavanagh (master, clarinet)
Reviews
'MRS. JONES'S BENEFIT CONCERT'
The Monitor, 29 September 1826, p. 5.
'If the performance was not such as would defy criticism or please the fastidious ear of the Connoisseur, yet it was enjoyed, and that's saying every thing.'
'AMATEUR CONCERT'
The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 1 November 1826, p. 3.
'Mr Edwards… is certainly a great favourite with the public, for whenever he made his entreé he was loudly cheered, and his song was enthusiastically encored… in fact almost the whole of the singers during the evening had to repeat their performances, as they sung with the greatest taste and skill.'
'NEWS'
The Australian, 1 November 1826, p. 3.
'The Concert, which took place on Monday last, was a noisy one, for there were lots of encoring and applauding. The room was filled with company, who were in good humour and resolved to be pleased. Mrs. Jones, we suppose, netted something handsome.'