Concert Six

The sixth Sydney concert was held on Wednesday the 6th of September, 1826 in the School Room of the Old Court House in Castlereagh Street, Sydney. It was held on a fine night, with the concert commencing at 7.30pm. Attendees were slow to enter, but eventually started ‘pouring in en masse’. The comic songs were particularly well received, with Barnett Levy’s performance of ‘The Mail Coach’, causing the audience to ‘convulse…with laughter’.

Program

First Part

Overture

James HOOK (1746-1827)

Work not identified.

Performers: John Edwards (violin, leader)

Song

William HAWES (1785-1846)

Father William

Performers: John Edwards (bass vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Glee

John WHITAKER (1776-1847)

The Minstrel Boy

Performers: Mr. Clarke (tenor vocalist); Mr. Paul (vocalist); John Edwards (bass vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Ballad

John WHITAKER (1776-1847)

Oh! Say Not a Woman’s Love is Bought!

Performers: Harriet Jones (soprano vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Comic Song

Composer not identified.

The Mail Coach

Performers: Barnett Levey (vocalist)

Comic Glee

John Wall CALLCOTT (1766-1821)

When Arthur First at Court Began (in Arnold’s The Battle of Hexam)

Performers: Mr. Clarke (tenor vocalist); James Blanch (tenor vocalist); John Edwards (bass vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Second Part

Overture

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868)

Tancredi

Performers: Full band, John Edwards (violin, leader)

Scotch Ballad

Composer not identified.

Let us Haste to Kelvin Grove

Performers: Mr. Clarke (tenor vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Glee

Composer not identified.

A Canadian Boat Song

Performers: Mr. Clarke (tenor vocalist); Mr. Paul (vocalist); John Edwards (bass vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Song

Composer not identified | Words by Robert Burns.

Ye Banks and Braes

Performers: Harriet Jones (soprano vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Comic Song

Irish Tune (Ballynamony ora).

The Beautiful Boy

Performers: Barnett Levey (vocalist)

Song

William SHIELD (1748-1829)

The Thorn

Performers: James Blanch (tenor vocalist); George Sippe (pianoforte)

Overture

Simone MAYR (1763-1845)

Adelaide de Guesclino

Performers: Full orchestra; John Edwards (violin, leader)

Reviews

'THE CONCERT'

The Australian , 9 September 1826, p. 3.

'The opening overture was well executed, and pleased generally. We can't with justice say as much for the song which followed - neither sweetness, variety, spirit, or feeling, was the air remarkable for. A quaint, formal expression of piety pervaded the words, and formed the only commendatory feature to be discovered throughout the entire song.'

'AMATEUR CONCERT'

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 9 September 1826, p. 3.

'Rossini's Overture to Tancredi commenced the second part, after which Mr. Clark sang the beautiful Scotch ballad, "Kelvin Grove" with an union of sweetness and spirit seldom surpassed. It was listened to with a silence scarcely disturbed by respiration, and the effect it produced is almost indescribable.'

'THE CONCERT'

The Australian , 9 September 1826, p. 3.

'The second commenced shortly after with Rossini's overture to Tancredi. It was exceedingly well performed. Mr. Edwards led with the violin, in a very masterly style. An amateur, Mr. J. Paul, played the tenor very creditably.'