Composers

Charles Edward Horsley

(1822-76)
The English composer Charles Edward Horsley worked in Melbourne from 1866 to 1872 as organist at Christ Church, South Yarra, and as an orchestral conductor and composer. He founded the Musical Society of Victoria in 1861 and contributed to the development of orchestral music in Melbourne in the 1860s.

Alberto Zelman Snr

(1832-1907)
Alberto Zelman Snr migrated from Europe and settled in Melbourne in 1872. He was organist and choirmaster at St Ignatius’ Church, Richmond, and conductor of the Centennial International Exhibition Orchestra, the Melbourne Liedetafel and the Australian Military Band.

Fritz Bennicke Hart

(1874-1949)
Fritz Hart was born in England and arrived in Australia in 1909. He taught at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music for 30 years, founded the short-lived Australian Opera League (with Alfred Hill) and conducted the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He was a noted composer of vocal
music and opera.

Peggy Glanville-Hicks

(1912-90)
Peggy Glanville-Hicks was educated in Melbourne and studied singing with Nellie Melba and composition with Fritz Hart. She participated in Melbourne productions of several of Fritz Hart’s operas before continuing her studies in London and embarking on an international career as a critic and composer.