John Albert Delany

John Albert Delany (6 July 185211 May 1907), He has been called "Australia's greatest musician" and "The Australian Gounod". then studied with the Benedictine monks at Lyndhurst College, Sydney, and had music lessons from William Cordner, organist of St Mary's pro-Cathedral. After Cordner's death, in 1870, he was taken on as a student by Charles S. Packer.

His first musical appointment was as violinist in the orchestra of the Victoria Theatre. was appointed choirmaster at St Mary's Cathedral, and followed John Hill as choirmaster and organist in 1873. There could have been no pipe organ in the brick building that served as the cathedral since the fire of 1868, but a harmonium would have been adequate for the purpose.

He joined the Lyster Opera Company as conductor and chorus master in 1877, and was musical director for Nellie Melba's Sydney debut. He later filled similar functions with Martin Simonsen's company. Delany composed the march that was performed at the opening and closing ceremonies. Thomas P. Banks was the organist.

Notable performances

He was one of three conductors, with Alfred Hill and Hugo Alpen, of the mass choirs at the Federation celebration on New Year's Day 1901 at Centennial Park, Sydney. He conducted the Australian premiere of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius at the Sydney Town Hall on 21 December 1903.

Compositions

Delany wrote spiritual works in unaccompanied plainsong. He is best known for an operatic Mass in A Flat, first performed December 1892. It was recorded in the 1950s and revived in 1993. Triduum march (1882) Cantata Captain Cook, to words by P. E. Quinn MLA, brother of Roderic Quinn A Song of the Commonwealth, first performed at the investiture of Governor-General Hopetoun in 1901.

Family

Delany married Jane Anne Sharpe at St Mary's pro-Cathedral on 11 May 1872. The couple had two daughters; his wife Jane died in 1887.