John Albert Delany (6 July 1852 – 11 May 1907),[1] usually referred to as John A. Delany, was an organist and composer in
Sydney, Australia, a champion of
choral music.[2][3] He has been called "Australia's greatest musician"[4] and "The Australian Gounod".[5]
History
Born in England in 1852, the only son of J. D. Delany, and came to New South Wales around 1855 with his parents. His first music lessons were with Ellis Taylor, organist of St John's Church of England,
Newcastle,[6] 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.[7]
His first musical appointment was as violinist in the orchestra of the
Victoria Theatre.[5] He had become sought-after by theatre managers for his expertise in
scoring music for orchestra.[7]
In 1872 "Cordner's boy"[8] was appointed
choirmaster at St Mary's Cathedral, and followed
John Hill as choirmaster and
organist in 1873.[9] 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.
[7]
He returned to St Mary's briefly, for the
triduum — three-day festival — that accompanied the opening of the new Cathedral by
Archbishop Vaughan 8–10 September 1882, when choirs from all of Sydney's Catholic churches took part.[11] Delany composed the march that was performed at the opening and closing ceremonies.
Thomas P. Banks was the organist.[6]
From 1886 to 1897 he served at St Mary's pro-Cathedral as musical director, and from 1895 to 1897 as organist. His resignation from both posts has been attributed to the cathedral's refusing to allow women as choir members.[5]
Delany married Jane Anne Sharpe at St Mary's pro-Cathedral on 11 May 1872.[16] The couple had two daughters; his wife Jane died in 1887.[1] Delany died in
Paddington, Sydney, in 1907 and his remains were buried in the
Waverley Cemetery.[1][5]
^
abcd"Mr John Delany". Table Talk. No. 148. Victoria, Australia. 20 April 1888. p. 16. Retrieved 29 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia. This reference has 1853 as Delany's year of birth.
^"Death of Mr Delany". The Australian Star. No. 6084. New South Wales, Australia. 13 May 1907. p. 5. Retrieved 27 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Advertising". Freeman's Journal. Vol. XXIV, no. 1508. New South Wales, Australia. 8 March 1873. p. 1. Retrieved 31 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Marvellous Melba". The Star (Sydney). No. 143. New South Wales, Australia. 25 August 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 27 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"J. A. Delany's Concert". Freeman's Journal. Vol. XXXIII, no. 2011. New South Wales, Australia. 7 October 1882. p. 8. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. LXV, no. 10, 632. New South Wales, Australia. 15 June 1872. p. 1. Retrieved 31 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
External links
Photograph and obituary notice: "
The Late Mr J. A. Delany". The Daily Telegraph (8720). New South Wales, Australia. 14 May 1907. p. 9. Retrieved 9 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.