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The Return of the Duke of Edinburgh
The Return of the Duke of Edinburgh

The Return of the Duke of Edinburgh

Composer
Date1869
Object number00018494
NameSheet music
MediumInk, photo - lithograph on paper
DimensionsOverall: 360 x 255 mm, 0.05 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
Description'The Return of the Duke of Edinburgh' waltz was composed to celebrate the second visit of His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh to Sydney. The Duke was in command of HMS GALATEA during his first visit in 1867. A rare photographic print of the Royal Navy vessel GALATEA is in the centre of this booklet's cover. The Duke was a keen musician who composed this music sheet to mark his return in 1869.HistorySheet music offers an insight into popular culture and social values at the time of their production. The widely distributed pieces were fairly cheap to buy, making them popular purchases with the general public. Music was an integral part of people's social life in the home and at public events such as balls, recitals, taverns, concerts and theatres. The Duke's first visit to Australia was made in 1867 to 1868. The Duke was in command of the steam frigate HMS GALATEA, arriving in Adelaide on 30 October 1867. He visited Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney and Brisbane leaving Sydney on 6 April 1868. The infamous highlight of the tour was the shooting in the back (not fatally) of the Prince by an Irishman at a picnic on Clontarf Beach, Sydney. Despite this event the Duke paid another visit to Australia in 1869, this time unofficially. SignificanceThis example of 19th century sheet music features a rare and early photographic print of HMS GALATEA. Most sheet music produced in the 19th century depicted a lithographic image of the vessel the music celebrated.