Charles Edward Horsley

Charles Edward Horsley is one of the more under-rated composers of the 19th Century, and is one to claim a particular link with Australia, as he was one of a number of artists to find success while living here for substantial periods of time. Horsley arrived in Melbourne in 1862 and was organist of the leading Anglo-Catholic church in Melbourne at the time, and conductor of the Melbourne Philharmonic for three years.

In 1870 the mayor of Melbourne commissioned a cantata with which to inaugurate the newly re-built Town Hall, and together with the Australian-born poet Henry Kendall, Horsley came up with the cantata Euterpe, for orchestra, soloists, and choir. The excerpt below is from the first chorus immediately following the overture; it received its third-known performance on August 29 2003, performed by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and conducted by Andrew Wailes; it was the first performance of the work in nearly a century and a quarter. The vocal score is available from Choral Public Domain Library, and full scores and parts may be obtained for hire from the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic (see the RMP website for contact details).