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The GALATEA Waltz

The GALATEA Waltz

Composer (1822 - 1876)
Printer (1823 - 1882)
Date1867
Object number00018491
NameSheet music
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 339 x 243 mm, 0.05 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
Description'The GALATEA Waltz' was composed in honour of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh by Charles Edward Horsley. It celebrates the Duke's visit to Australia in 1867 aboard HMS GALATEA. The plain design of this sheet music differs from the more decorative examples of sheet music that were produced at the time.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 for the general public. Music was an integral part of people's social life in the home and at public outings such as balls, recitals, concerts and theatres. When this waltz was composed in 1867 many middle class families possessed a piano, which played an important role in their home entertainment. Music sheets featuring waltzes, quadrilles, galops, polkas and mazurkas were everyday favourites. In the Victorian era sheet music covered a huge range of themes from ships, travel, plays and literature.' The GALATEA waltz' may have been played at official receptions held for the Duke of Edinburgh. The wooden screw frigate HMS GALATEA was launched at Woolwich Dockyard, England on 14 August 1859. The Duke's visit to Australia was made between 1867 and 1868. He was in command of the steam frigate 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 Duke 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 sheet music provides a record of the music composed to commemorate the visit of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh aboard the Royal Navy vessel HMS GALATEA to Australia in 1867. The museum holds a number of other objects produced to celebrate the royal visit.