Reginald Stoneham Explained

Reginald Alberto Agrati Stoneham (1879 – 11 March 1942) was an Australian composer and publisher of mostly topical songs, and a musical comedy F.F.F. He was perhaps Australia's leading exponent of jazz and ragtime piano styles in the first decades of the 20th century as both composer and performer. He was also a popular accompanist and recording artist.

Biography

He was born in Carlton, Victoria in 1879, the fifth son of musician William (c. 1833 – 25 March 1913) and Ellen Stoneham (c. 1846 – 10 February 1889) of 210 Madeline Street Carlton.[1] In 1900 he served in the South Australian Mounted Rifles as a private trumpeter. His trade was listed as "wood turner".[2] [3] He was wounded in action at Slobet's Nek.[4]

In 1901 he married Adelaide Minnie "Addie" Lyons (1880–1959).[5] They had a daughter Val Augusta Elsa Stoneham on 10 April 1902.[6] Described as "one of Melbourne's leading florists", she was employed by Harris, Scarfe, Ltd., Adelaide in 1933.[7]

Stoneham is most remembered for the song "Sleepy Seas" and patriotic songs during World War 1, notably the popular "Heroes of the Dardanelles".[8]

He lived at St Kilda, Victoria from 1918.[9] In 1920 he composed the musical comedy, F.F.F., styled as a "mystery musical comedy", with a book and lyrics by C. J. De Garis, was underwritten by Hugh D. McIntosh. It starred Maggie Moore and Charles H. Workman, among others. The "mystery" centred on the meaning of the enigmatic title, for which solutions were solicited and a prize offered. The show played at Adelaide's Prince of Wales Theatre for a successful season, followed by a week in Perth and a fortnight in Melbourne, where the "Argus" critic praised the songs but lambasted the play.[10] It has not been revived.

In November 1929 the baritone Robert Nicholson recorded "Ballarat the Fair" and "Back to Warrnambool", accompanied by Stoneham. In March 1930 he recorded "Mildura (Home of Mine)".[11]

In 1932 he conducted a radio orchestra in Adelaide.[12]

Ill and unemployed, with an invalid wife and daughter to support, he petitioned for bankruptcy in 1936.[13]

He was buried with the ritual of the Returned Services League[14]

Other compositions

as "Alberto Agrati"

Critical reception

Reginald Stoneham is mentioned in Australian newspapers as a well known and respected music creator.[22] [23]

His work 'For God and St George' featured in a charity concert to support Belgians at the outbreak of the Great War.

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Musical and Dramatic Notes . . XXIX . 3,431 . Western Australia . 12 April 1913 . 18 December 2018 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56553551 South Australian Imperial Contingent
  3. Web site: R a A Stoneham.
  4. News: At the Front . . 6413 . Victoria, Australia . 8 February 1901 . 13 October 2021 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: Family Notices . . XLIII . 13,306 . South Australia . 11 June 1901 . 8 December 2018 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4883186 Family Notices
  7. News: Advertising . . 21 . 1,089 . South Australia . 8 April 1933 . 8 December 2018 . 5 ('Candida's" Woman's Section) . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: Soldiers' Songs . . 665 . New South Wales, Australia . 26 December 1915 . 18 December 2018 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10318818 Stoneham v. Stoneham
  10. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4578560 "Music and Drama: King's F.F.F."
  11. Web site: Back to Warrnambool - Robert Nicholson . NFSA . 18 August 2022. The year 1924 also mentioned in this article, perhaps in error.
  12. News: Social . . South Australia . 29 September 1932 . 18 December 2018 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11892019 Misfortunes of Musician
  14. Web site: Funeral of Mr. R. Stoneham. Argus . 13 March 1942. 3. Trove.
  15. Stoneham, R. (1934). Souvenir back to Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia : Official program [music] : Song "Back to Warrnambool" / written and composed by Reg. A. A. Stoneham. Warrnambool, Vic.: Warrnambool Progress Association.
  16. News: The Appeal for Men Church Day . . 24,281 . New South Wales, Australia . 3 November 1915 . 14 February 2019 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  17. News: ST. CUTHBERT'S TENNIS CLUB CONCERT. . . X . 34 . New South Wales, Australia . 23 August 1913 . 14 February 2019 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  18. News: The Concert at Night. . Northern Star . 40 . New South Wales, Australia . 2 August 1915 . 15 February 2019 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  19. News: Hobart Travel League . . CXXXIII . 19,722 . Tasmania, Australia . 22 October 1930 . 14 February 2019 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  20. News: Advertising . . 16,117 . Victoria, Australia . 12 January 1929 . 30 April 2021 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  21. News: On The Air From 2NR . . 61 . New South Wales, Australia . 24 August 1936 . 18 December 2018 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  22. News: Tasmanian Popular Song. . . Tasmania, Australia . 11 October 1926 . 18 December 2018 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  23. News: Music Composer's Death . . 32,518 . New South Wales, Australia . 18 March 1942 . 12 February 2019 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  24. Web site: National Film & Sound Archive of Australia [Australia's Living Archive]. 21 February 2020.
  25. Web site: Australian Variety Theatre Archive.