Tag Archives: music

An overview of the music of the 3/8 Waltz

Background and history In 1796, the Waltz music began to be used for country dances in the British Isles. Our collection* of music and dance manuscripts have nothing specifically called a waltz before this time before a sudden flurry of … Continue reading

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Curator’s talk

Join Curator’s Heather Clarke and Eleanor Lambert as they walk you through our new exhibition Dancing in Fetters: The Culture of Convict Dance. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia funding. Exhibition partners include Abbey … Continue reading

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Convict Culture Week Resources

Programme Updated 3:00pm 18th May 2023 Norfolk Island Convict Tune Book Norfolk Island – Tasmanian Tune Session Norfolk Island Convict Song Book A selection of songs from the convict concert of 25 May 1840. Basic song melodies A select preview … Continue reading

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Phillip’s Dog

Phillip’s Dog performs captivating music for historical and folk dances with enthusiasm and panache. Phillip’s Dog is a unique ensemble, specialising in the dance music of early colonial Australia. However, the repertoire extends well beyond this period to include mediaeval … Continue reading

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Convict Tune Book

A collection of 12 tunes known to be popular with Australian convicts between 1788 and 1840.  Each tune includes sheet music and historical notes. Developed as part of the exhibition “Dancing in Fetters: The culture of convict dance”  at the … Continue reading

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Tekeli

Tekeli – a convict tune Tekeli was an influential and highly successful melodrama, one of the first of its genre, full of suspense and intense emotions.  The French play by Rene Charles Guilbert De Pixerécourt was produced in Paris in … Continue reading

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Off She Goes

From a Police Report in the Sydney Herald, 2nd of September 1833 EIizabeth Fisher, Matthew Fisher, and Hamilton Murray, belonging to the Waterloo, were charged with dancing a reel on the King’s Wharf, at the hour of eleven overnight, to … Continue reading

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Auld Robin Grey

From a Police Report in the Sydney Gazette, 28th of January 1837 William Lee, with a vest of plush buttoned over his chest, which blushed at the position both of itself and master, was called upon to account for singing … Continue reading

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The King of the Cannibal Islands

From a Police Report in the Sydney Herald, 10th of June 1832 Ann Roberts, a dab at culinary preparation, was charged by her master with continually annoying him, and quoting extracts from the times of Helfogabalus down to the King … Continue reading

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Drops of Brandy

From a Police Report in the Sydney Herald, 3rd of January 1833 TUESDAY. – Ann Painter was placed at the bar on the following charge, brought against her by her lord and master:- Having retired to bed at an early … Continue reading

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