AustLit

Australian-based musician, music director, composer, and conductor.

Nicholas La Feuillade is believed to have first arrived in Australia in 1865, when he toured the country as violinist with the Christy Minstrels. He later toured as music director with La Feuillade, Peel and Western's Christy Minstrels (1869), Western and La Feuillade's Minstrels (1870-1871), and Harry Rickards's London Star Company (ca. 1874). Between 1883 and 1886, he was music director for Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels. Managed by F. E. Hiscocks and starring comedian W. Horace Bent, the troupe was arguably the most successful minstrel show to operate in Australia during the late nineteenth century. After briefly working for Charles and Harry Cogill in 1887, La Feuillade returned to Hiscocks's management the following year. His last known engagements were in Melbourne during the 1890s, when he appeared on the bill of such variety shows as the Peoples' Concerts (Temperance Hall) and the St George's Hall Minstrel, Variety and Specialty Company.

La Feuillade's symphony Irish Patrol, which represents 'the gradual approach, passing and disappearance of the Enni Killen Brigade', is believed to have been first performed in Melbourne at the People's Concerts (Temperance Hall) on 17 April 1897 (Age 17 April 1897, p.10).