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 19