Alberto Zelman

1926 caricature by Reynolds

(Samuel Victor Albert) Alberto Zelman (15 November 1874 – 3 March 1927) was an Australian musician and conductor, and founder of one of the predecessors to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Life and career

Alberto Zelman was born in Melbourne, Australia. His father, Alberto Zelman (senior), had come from Trieste via India as conductor of an opera company, and settled in Melbourne.

Zelman was educated at King's College, Melbourne. After the death of George Marshall-Hall he founded (in 1906) and conducted the Albert Street Conservatorium Orchestra which, in 1927, combined with the Melbourne University Symphony Orchestra to form the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO). The MUSO was mainly amateur with a core of professional players, and Alberto conducted it over the years, giving many memorable performances.

Alberto Zelman was also well known in the Spa Country region of Victoria, and he lived for a short period in a cottage on 7th Street in Hepburn Springs that stands today and which features a frieze of the local bush painted by his artist brother Victor.

His last appearance was to conduct Messiah on Christmas night 1926; such world-famous singers as John McCormack and Dame Clara Butt had been soloists in his Messiah.

He died in Melbourne on 3 March 1927.

The MSO continued to perform after his death until 1932 when it was taken over jointly by Professor (later Sir) Bernard Heinze and Fritz Hart, who converted it to an all-professional orchestra. In 1933 the amateur players formed their own orchestra, naming it the Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra after Alberto Zelman. It has given at least three concerts each year since that time and now, more than 80 years later, the Zelman Symphony continues to perform with at least four concerts each year in Melbourne and one or more in country Victoria. The Zelman Symphony owns Alberto Zelman Jnr's Mustel celeste (celesta), circa 1890.

Works

References

  1. ↑ "SIGNOR ALBERTO ZELMAN". The Australasian. Vol. LXXXIV, no. [?]. Victoria, Australia. 4 January 1908. p. 34. Retrieved 11 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "MUSIC". The Australasian. Vol. CXXII, no. 4, 079. Victoria, Australia. 12 March 1927. p. 43. Retrieved 11 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ School of Historical Studies, Department of History. "Melba Conservatorium of Music - Entry - eMelbourne - The Encyclopedia of Melbourne Online". www.emelbourne.net.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  4. ↑ Kennel, Emily (13 August 2020). "Tools of the Trade". Old Quad. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  5. ↑ Wireless Weekly magazine, 29 July 1927 edition
  6. ↑ "A GREAT MUSICIAN' PASSES". The Herald. No. 15, 535. Victoria, Australia. 4 March 1927. p. 4. Retrieved 11 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ "CROSSED THE BAR". The Herald. No. 10, 044. Victoria, Australia. 28 December 1907. p. 6. Retrieved 11 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ Blanchard, E. L. (Edward L.); Zelman, Alberto, 1832-1907; Opera House (Melbourne, Vic.) (1875), Fortunatus and the magic purse and wishing cap, or, Little King Pippin : grand operatic Christmas pantomime, Azzoppardi, Hildreth, retrieved 25 August 2020{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ Zelman, Alberto (1866), Pipele waltzes : arranged from the airs of this popular opera, Elvy & Co, retrieved 25 August 2020
  10. ↑ Zelman, Alberto (1900), Ave Maria : in B-flat minor; a sacred song with Latin and English words, Allan & Co, retrieved 25 August 2020
  11. ↑ "Elegie (Zelman, Alberto) - IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download". imslp.org. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  12. ↑ Zelman, Alberto, 1832-1907; Cristabel, Gloria tibi domine [music] = Glory to thee, O Lord / words by Cristabel; music by Alberto Zelman, Wickins & Co{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)