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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-15 Daily Xml
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MATTERS OF INTEREST

ADELAIDER LIEDERTAFEL

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:23): I rise today to speak about the 150th Jubilee of the Adelaider Liedertafel 1858, combined with the 14th Sängerfest of the German Choral Association of Australia Incorporated, held at the Adelaide Town Hall on Saturday 4 October. The Sängerfest is otherwise known as the Australian Song Festival of the German Choral Association.

The Adelaider Liedertafel 1858 is a German male choir that was founded on 1 September 1858 by J.W. Schierenbeck and Carl Linger. It was formed by combining two existing choirs: the Adelaider Liedertafel and the Deutsche Liedertafel. Mr Schierenbeck became the first president and Mr Linger was confirmed as the first musical director, conducting the choir until his death at the age of 52 in 1862. The name of Carl Linger is well renowned as the co-founder of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and as the composer of the music for the Song of Australia.

In 1968 it was decided that the year in which the choir was founded should be added to the name. Hence, it is now known as the Adelaider Liedertafel 1858. The choir sang German songs for Adelaide residents from the mid 1800s until 1878 at its 20th anniversary concert, when songs of the English language were added to the choir's repertoire. Since then, the choir has been entertaining people of many nationalities with its outstanding musical talent.

I was delighted to attend the concert, which focused not just on the Adelaider Liedertafel 1858 but also on a number of other German choirs from all over Australia. These were: The Heimatchor from Perth; The Cancilienchor from Croydon, New South Wales; Concordia Choir from Tempe, New South Wales; the Austrian Choir from Canberra; Chor Alpenfrieden from Adelaide; Harmonie Choir from Canberra; Liedertafel Arion from Melbourne; Tanunda Liedertafel and Hahndorf Liedertafel; the Brisbane Liederkranz/Liedertafel; the Deutscher Volksliederchor from Adelaide; and the German male choir Sanssouci from Wollongong, New South Wales. These choirs all performed individually during the afternoon Sangerfest performance before combining in the evening mass men's and ladies' choirs and, finally, all in one huge choir.

The Premier (Hon. Mike Rann) presented the opening address. I also acknowledge the presence of the current Lieutenant-Governor Hieu Van Le, as well as the former lieutenant-governor, Mr Bruno Krumins. Mr Le, who is also the Chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, noted:

The Adelaider Liedertafel 1858 has made an unparalleled contribution in fostering German song and culture and on the development of the musical life of South Australians.

Along with the extremely talented choirs, the audience was treated to many other musical performances from organists, pianists, opera singers, and the Band of the South Australia Police.

In all, the program was excellent and very well presented. The Adelaider Liedertafel and the mass choirs were all superbly directed by the young conductor Mr Jonathan Bligh. Congratulations go to Mr Peter Reeh, President of the Adelaider Liedertafel 1858, Mr Dieter Mittasch, President of the German Choral Association of Australia, and all who contributed to the 150th celebration and the Sangerfest.

In conclusion, I put on record the names of the other people who principally contributed to that event. I have mentioned the Band of the South Australia Police, and that was under the direction of the Principal Conductor, Dr Kevin Cameron. We also heard from soprano soloist Nina Tschernykow. Opera singers performing were Jillian Chatterton, Ernst Ens, Joanna McWaters and Andrew Turner; and they were all accompanied by Mr John Hall. The organist was Shirley Gale, and the piano accompanist was Ms June Genders OAM. The compere was Mr Jens Sandstrom, and I give a special mention to the stage manager, Mr Wolfgang Fritzsche.

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