Guide to the Programs and related material regarding June Bronhill, January 1952-April 2005
Collection context
Summary
- Collection number:
- Bronhill
- Extent:
- 115 items
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
Acknowledgement of use this material should refer to the Ephemera PROMPT collection.
Citation of items from this collection should include references to author's/organisation's name, date, item title, Publisher and place of publication.
Example: J.C. Williamson (Firm). Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S.A.). 1950, Gilbert Sullivan opera season [theatre program] : The gondoliers J. C. Williamson Ltd [Adelaide]
- Availability:
- Available
Background
- Content Summary:
-
Printed materials in the PROMPT collection include programs and printed ephemera such as brochures, leaflets, tickets, etc. Theatre programs are taken as the prime documentary evidence of a performance by Bronhill. In a few cases however, the only evidence of a performance is a piece of printed ephemera. In these cases the type of piece is identified, eg, brochure.
The list is based on imperfect holdings and is updated as gaps in the Library's holdings for this artist are filled. Unless otherwise stated, all entries are based on published programs in the PROMPT collection.
- Biographical / Historical:
-
Born to and English father and Australian mother, June Mary Gough changed her name in honor of her home town Broken Hill. After winning the Sun Aria Vocal competition at the age of 4, the residents of Broken Hill raised money to help her future career. The funds proved sufficient to send her to England.
In 1951 June married Brian Martin in Sydney. Brian had one daughter from his first marriage, Faith Josephine Margaret, who was just nine years younger than June. With Brian, June sailed for England and became the leading soloist with the Sadlers Wells Company. She performed in Mozart's , and played the roles of Eurydice in and Gabrielle in . She was well known for her performance in the title role of Hanna Glawari in Lehar's . June remained overseas for eight years, during which time she and Brian filed for divorce, but June retained a strong friendship with his daughter Faith and the two women lived together in London. In July 1960, she made her first homecoming visit and was greeted at the Broken Hill airport by the biggest crowd since the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 1954. In January 1963 she married Richard Milburne Champion de Crespigny Finny in Sydney, but this marriage too ended after a few years. June gave birth to her daughter Carolyn Jane (Biddy) Finny in May 1963.
June Bronhill performed not only with the Sadlers Wells Opera, but with the London West End theatres. She played Elizabeth in the musical 'Robert and Elizabeth' in 1964; she was Mother Abbess in 'The Sound of Music' in London, and Maria von Trapp in the Australian production. She appeared in dozens of Australian operatic productions, and played the role of Mrs. Crawford in the Australian version of the television comedy series, 'Are You Being Served?'
In April 1977, June Bronhill was awarded the OBE at Government House for services to the performing arts. In 1994, the Broken Hill Entertainment Centre was named in her honour.
From The Australian Women's Register [http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE3999b.htm]
- Arrangement:
-
The Bronhill material in the PROMPT Collection is in the chronological order of her Australian and overseas performance and this list reflects this arrangement. Entries identify the city and the venue. All the information is taken from programs, flyers and ephemera.
Entries for each program are arranged as follows: Venue/Theatre (Location); Company; name of production / Creator; year, day/s and month; Bronhill's role or other involvement.
Access and use
- Preferred citation:
-
Acknowledgement of use this material should refer to the Ephemera PROMPT collection.
Citation of items from this collection should include references to author's/organisation's name, date, item title, Publisher and place of publication.
Example: J.C. Williamson (Firm). Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S.A.). 1950, Gilbert Sullivan opera season [theatre program] : The gondoliers J. C. Williamson Ltd [Adelaide]
- Location of this collection:
-
Parkes PlaceCanberra ACT 2600, Australia
- Contact: