Predatoros / Francis Hart, 1894

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Box 1892-1901

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Princess Theatre, Melbourne (Victoria).

The premiere of this two-act comic opera, which also has a very significant Western Australian connection: the libretto is by the controversial West Australian journalist Francis Hart and the music was composed by his close friend Sir William Robinson, Governor of Western Australia from October 1890 to March 1895. The premiere at Williamson and Musgrove's Princess Theatre was therefore staged while Sir William was still in office. Act 1 is set in a mountain pass in Sicily and act 2 in the interior of the brigand's cave. Wallace Brownlow played the role of Predatoros (a brigand chief) and Nellie Stewart played Angelina (his daughter).

Text reads: "This (Monday) afternoon, Nov. 12, 1894, at 2.30 p.m. The event in the musical history of Australia. The occasion being the First Time an Opera will have been introduced to the World through its First Production in Australia. Vice-Regal Command, Under the Patronage and in the Presence of His Excellency The Earl of Hopetoun and the Countess of Hopetoun. When will be produced for the First Time on any stage a New and Original Comic Opera, entitled Predatoros, written by Francis Hart. Composed by Sir W.C.F. Robinson…."

1 program (on card).

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