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Commissioned for the opening of the new Melbourne Town Hall, Euterpe is described as a homage to sound, and an attempt to show how the power of music permeates all phases and walks of life - 'in religion, in charity, in general high purposes, in war, in sorrow, in love, in the dance, at the feast, in far countries [and] at evening' (Argus 10 August 1870, p. 3). Kendall and Horsley both make reference to the Town Hall and the opening ceremony's musical concert - of which the ode was the feature presentation. The words of the final verse, which are underpinned by the musical accompaniment, make this apparent: 'The ringing, and ringing, and ringing / Of voices of choristers singing / Inspired by a national joy / Strike through the marvellous hall / Fly by the aisle and the wall; / While the organ notes roam / From basement to dome / Now low as a wail / Now loud as a gale'
Notes
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1870 : Town Hall, Melbourne ; 9 August. Music Dir/Cond. Charles E. Horsley. - Cast incl. Lucy Chambers (contralto), Madame Simonsen (soprano), C. A. Donaldson (baritone), S.W.M. Lamble (bass), Ammes Beaumont (tenor). Musicians incl. David Lee (organ).
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Mr. Kendall's New Version of Euterpe
1870
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: The Argus , 6 September 1870; (p. 5) -
Euterpe
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 10 August 1870; (p. 3)
— Review of Euterpe : An Ode to Music [Cantata] 1870 single work lyric/song -
Opening of the New Town Hall: The Inauguration
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 10 August 1870; (p. 5-6)
— Review of Euterpe : An Ode to Music [Cantata] 1870 single work lyric/song
-
Opening of the New Town Hall: The Inauguration
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 10 August 1870; (p. 5-6)
— Review of Euterpe : An Ode to Music [Cantata] 1870 single work lyric/song -
Euterpe
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 10 August 1870; (p. 3)
— Review of Euterpe : An Ode to Music [Cantata] 1870 single work lyric/song -
Mr. Kendall's New Version of Euterpe
1870
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: The Argus , 6 September 1870; (p. 5)