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Music

The earliest item in the Collection is the music program from the inaugural concert of Messiah in 1881 by Adelaide Philharmonic Society.

Credit: Jimmy Barnes, Cold Chisel, Thebarton Town Hall, Adelaide, 1980, photograph by and reproduced courtesy of Eric Algra, Performing Arts Collection, Adelaide Festival Centre

The 1881 program for the inaugural concert of Messiah by Adelaide Philharmonic Society is one of earliest items in the music Collection. Over a hundred and forty-two years later, thousands of programs have been acquired recording a myriad of music events from classical, rock ‘n’ roll and contemporary, performed at hundreds of different venues around South Australia.

In addition to capturing the international singers, musicians, bands and orchestras that have passed through the state, the Collection also holds material from South Australian artists such as Peter Dawson, Julie Anthony and William Cade. The Cade collection charts the early days of South Australia’s largest performing arts organisation the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Featured Creators

William Cade
1883 – 1957

William Cade was appointed Director and Chief Conductor of the Adelaide ABC Broadcasting Orchestra, now known as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in 1936. His private collection gives an insight to the formation of this Adelaide institution. Cade also worked as a conductor for J. C. Williamson Ltd and Wondergraph Picture Theatres and as musical director for the Theatre Royal and Regent Theatre.

Unknown artist, Portrait of William Cade, c1925, oil on canvas, Performing Arts Collection, Adelaide Festival Centre
Conductor Performer

Winifred Atwell
1914 – 1983

Winifred Atwell was one of the all-time greatest ragtime and honky-tonk pianists, selling millions of records worldwide. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she was well-loved in Australia and performed in Adelaide many times. For her Adelaide appearance she played her honky-tonk hits such as Bumble Boogie and other favourites from her popular and semi-classical repertoire.

Winifred Atwell program, 1976, Performing Arts Collection, Adelaide Festival Centre
Performer

Eric Algra

From the front row of Adelaide’s pubs, clubs and stadiums Eric Algra photographed some of the greatest international, Australian, and local bands. His gritty black and white film photographs caught the live energy of bands like The Clash, Talking Heads, No Fixed Address, Cold Chisel and The Angels. He was also the main photographer for Adelaide’s music magazine, Roadrunner, which started in Norwood in 1978.

Photographer
Featured Work

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