May 2015 - 8 August 1918 Battle of Amiens and John Monash

Iohn Mona$h::
From Melbourne to Gallipoli
.,
for choir, children's choir, soloists and orchestra
Sunday May 1 7,2015, 3pm
lan Roach Hall, Scotch College,
1 Morrison St, Hawthorn, VIC 3122
Melbourne, Australia.
Libretto by Kevin O'Flaherty and David I Kram, Music by David I Kram
Presented by More Than Opera.
Choirs
Melbourne Chamber Choir
Members of THECHOIR
Malvern Primary School
Port Melbourne Primary School
Soloists
Lisa-Anne Robinson (soprano)
Selena Pettifer (contralto)
James Penn (tenor)
Tiriki Onus (bass-baritone)
Scotch College Symphony Orchestra (Director of Music
Conductor - Dr David Kram
-
John Ferguson)
This work is based on Kevin O'Flaherty's poem 1918, commemorating the life of
General SirJohn Monash GCMG, KCB, VD (1865-1931), exploring his leadership
qualities and community-mindedness. The themes of this concert are the Australia
which shaped him (Melbourne, Jerilderie, Scotch College, Melbourne University,
engineering, militia) and the Gallipoli landing. Far from a glorification of war, John
Monash is pervaded by Monash's dictum "Equip yourself for life, not for yourself
alone but for the benefit of the community",
Another concert scheduled for 2016, will cover the Gallipoli evacuation,
Western Front, notably the battle near Amiens on August 8, 1918, and Monash's
nation-building after the war.
Front Cover: Generol Sir John Monosh GCMG, KCB, VD 1865
- l93l
Photogrcph of stotue of Sir John Moncsh unveiled ol Monosh University on April 22,2015.
Sculptor - Peter Corlell OAM. Photo courtesy of Monosh Universiiy.
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1
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1) Equip Yourself for Life
Choirs - Hymn 'Old Hundredth' then
brisk section quoting Monash's credo "Adopt as
your fundamental creed that you will equip yourself
for life, not solely for your own benefit but for the
benefit of the whole community"
The audience is invited to sing the hymn
with the choirs - please see libretto section,
2) Under Southern Stars
Solo quafiet (soprano, contralto, tenor, bass)
- Depicting Monash's parents coming
to Australia in the wake of the Gold Rush.
3) Maruellous Melbourne
Chorus -1850s to 1880s focussing on the
Gold Rush era and immediate aftermath.
4) Educate Yourself
Chorus and solos - Segueing into children's
song 'Jerilderie'. As Vice-Chancellor of
Melbourne University post WW'l,
Monash reminisces about his early life.
5) Mathilde
Solo trio (soprano, contralto, tenor)
- About Monash's clever younger sister,
who subjugated her full potential in the
interests of caring for her family.
-
6) 'Monash at University
The Epitome of a Very Modern Student'
Recitative about Monash's distinguished
achievements at Scotch College then solo
bass (Monash) and choir about achievements
escapades - at Melbourne University.
7) Engineering Duet
Solo tenor and bass - Honouring
Monash's career in Australia.
/
8) Marvellous Melbourne
Chorus - Bust and Recovery about the 1890's
depression and how Monash weathered it.
13) Dearest Wife
Solo bass - A setting of Monash's letter
to his wife on the eve of Gallipoli.
9) I'll always love you
Solo Quartet - Berthe (mother), John,
Mathilde, Louis (father).
14) The Landing
Men's Chorus - Orchestral depiction of battle
with basses singing an Australian battle-cry
and tenors a Turkish one.
10) Foreboding
Chorus with two child speakers
- Looming of WWl
.
11) Soliloquy
Solo bass - Monash looks back on his life
in Australia pre WW'1 as he leaves Australia
on the boat.
Prayer for Peace
Chorus - A hymn for peace on earth and goodwillto
allmankind in several languages.
121
15) Grace Wilson - the spirit of nursing
Solo soprano and contralto with female chorus
- Depicting a brave Queensland nurse sent to
the island of Lemnos to organise care for the
Gallipoli wounded,
16) Far from Radiant Southern Cross
Children's chorus - Representing those left behind
in Australia.
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Dr David lan Kram is a conductor, lecturer, arls
manager, pianist and composer. After a wide
and varied international career conducting in
some of the most famous opera houses in
Europe David settled in Australia.
From 1996-2009 he was Senior Lecturer at
the Victorian College of the Arts/University of
Melbourne (Head of Opera from 1996-2005)
and Musical Director of lnternational Opera
Productions (New York/Prague) 2006-2009.
He conducted the world premiere of Deborah
Cheetham's opera Pecan Summer with the
Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (2010, 2O11)
and Perth Symphony Orchestra (2012), and
was nominated for a Green Room Award
(2O12) for guest conducting with Melbourne
Opera (2011). He conducted Der Freischutz
fttVeber) for Melbourne Opera in early 2015.
Photo credit: jdaphoto.com
Page 6
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Dr Kevin O'Flahedy was born in Mortlake,
Victoria and was educated at Cudgee, Terang
and Ballarat. After teaching English, Languages
and History he graduated as a mature age
student from the University of Melbourne,
majoring in English and Psychology with
graduate qualifications in Social Work.
He completed his graduate study and research
as a Rackham Fellow at University of Michigan
taking University appointments as a tenured
lecturer and researcher in Australia and USA.
Dr O'Flaherty held top management positions
with Federal and State Governments, and in
the private sector, went into business holding
positions of CEO and director of Australian
companies and organisations. He specialised
in policy and program development, planning
and futures thinking.
Kevin was a delegate to the Australian Olympic
Committee 1995-2000. He embedded the
Acclaim Awards at the Rotary Club of Melbourne
(RCM)where he established the Monash Medal
to honor annually a significant Australian. He
chairs 0808 lnc., and convenes the annual RCM
OB0B Commemoration of the Battle of Amiens
at The Shrine of Remembrance, Dr O'Flaherty is
dedicated to increasing awareness of Australians,
old and young, about significant national events
and Australians who have contributed to the
wider community.
Rotary Cluh
:;
About Rotary
This work came about because Kevin O'Flaherty approached fellow Rotarian David Kram
to write a musical work - originally an opera - about Monash.
What is Rotary? Rotary is '1.2 million neighbours, friends, and community leaders who come
together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world. Paul P.
Harris was the founder and organiser of the first Rotary Club in Chicago, lllinois, USA, on
23rd February 1905. Paul was an attorney who wished to recapture in a professional club
the same friendly spirit he had felt in the smalltowns of his youth. The name "Rotary" derived
from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices. When the organisation
of Rotary clubs was created in 1910, Paul Harris was selected as the first President.
Our sharcd passion for seruice helps us accomplish the remarkable,
The Rotary Club of Melbourne was chartered on 21 April 1921 as the first Rotary Club
in Australia. The Club now has over 250 members and is proud to have many women
as very active members in the club. Within the charter membership of the Club were
many of Melbourne's leading business and professional men, including Sir John Monash,
the great engineer and leading generalfrom World War l.
RCM-0808, founded by Kevin O'Flaherty, was established in 2005 by RCM as an
official committee to remember the Australians' efforts under General Sir John Monash
who planned and won a great victory at The Battle of Amiens on 0808 - B Aug 1918.
This victory revolutionised warfare, protected soldiers thereby reducing casualties,
planned for and used all modern equipment and developed creative tactics which
won WW1, bringing the war to an end far earlier than expected.
RCM-0808 has two main functions
-
1. To organise the annual 0808 Remembrance Ceremony at The Shrine on O8O8
B
August
-
the anniversary of The Battle of Amiens.
-
2, To nominate and select annually an Outstanding Australian to be awarded the Monash
Medal. The Medal is awarded for Leadership, lntegrity and Service to an Australian for
his/her contribution to the Australian community (and beyond).
David Kram is a member of the RCM Arts, Music and 0B0B committees.
He created this work with Kevin in the spirit of the four-way Rotarian test:
ls it the TRUTH?
ls it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
PageT
6l MONASH Ar UNTERS|TY/
I AM THE EFITOME OF A VEHY
MONHRN $TUDHNT
Solo tenor (as narrator), so/o bass (as Monash), choir.
Words by Kevin O'Flaherty
Tenor
solo
presiding
-
At Scotch College, Qppsnflxxxiv
- (Ormond College, his endowment, just
opened) - Headmaster Morrison and Ormond
working together' inspiring'
encouraging
Choir: Deo, patriae, litterisxxxv.
Tenor (alternating with choir):
The year? Eighteen
The occasion? Speech Day, at
114;xxxvi. young Monash shook
hand repeatedly, each impressed. Math;
Logic; French; English;
And the Scottish Play,
Eighty-One.
Athenaeum
Ormond's
German;
Macbeth.
Solo bass (as Monash)
My beloved university became for me, for
ten fullyears, the "University of Life". I was
just sixteen when I enrolled in the gacl-reior of
Arts. An exhibitionnqvii funded it - but life
stepped in. "Youth is wasted on the young",
so they say. For ten full years I equipped
myself for life, even passing Latin mourning my dear mother - and surviving
adulterous
and
affairl
chorus
an
Refrain (repeated hy
intermittently) I am (he is) the epitome of
a very modern student; Learning for life,
but from all lecturcs absent/
Page
1
8
Bass
Greedily reading all I can from Lyttonxxxviii
to Lancelot; haunting Barry'sKlx library
every chance I got.
Learning ail about riterature - but neve r ar a
lecture! My learning is for life - it must have
a proper texture.
Theatres a 'plenty with singing - operas
and musical plays, whether uplifting or
bawdy - not uselessly boring all our days!
Comparing religions was interestlng,
Judaism then lslam; the tanachxl and then
the Koran. As a seeker after truth since my
education began.
I'm not alone in seeking truth in everything
I've read, And so I read from kohelslxli , 3
teacher wise, who said "Whatever thy hand
doeth, do it with thy whole might!"
lt struck a chord as a motto from a man
who saw the light. So I kept on reading and
reading till I found "Now Praise We Famous
Men!" Two lifelong mantras I return to again
and again'
the presence of the Governor and Chief
Justice of our state. We formed the Student
Union as a forum for debate, Where staff and
students thrash things out, and where the
students meet All those lovely clever females
who just joined the Uni elite.
ln
And I edited the Uni Review, pdnting every
submission Which piqued the medics mightily
and led to their sedition So the Speculum
became their rag, which really took the cake,
The upshot of this hullabaloo - they threw me
in the lakel xlii
At one of the graduations I sang some ribald
songs. While the good Vice-Chancellor was
handing out the gongs.
Politics is not my bent - but I certainly love a
partyl I can organise socials where all are hale
and hearty.
The Uni militia hooked me in, patriotic and
keen,
As their first volunteer, I loved my fancy
uniform being seen.
Firing guns in Williamstown, practicing
and drilling;
/
Firing not in anger then, nor any thoughts
of killing.
Passed my first exam - and Corporal
Potash lwas dubbed, inspecting raw
recruits, making sure their boots are
scrubbed.
And now I'm Colour Sergeantxliii, pising
through the ranks in just one year.
Big picture steady - and my objective clear!
lparse en bon frangais and in German read
the news, but when I'm I asked "Quo vadis?"
that makes me quite bemused.
Music, maths and logic
-
fine! My b6te-noir
is Latin, no matter how much cramming for
exams I've ever sat in
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111
$oLTLOQUY
So/o Bass (as Monash). Words by Kevin O'Flaherty.
(Monash - 49yrs old - leads 2nd convoy out
of Port Phillip Heads bound for Western Front
via Suez - leaves Australia in command of 4th
lnfantry Brigade, Australian lmperial Force)
Through the Headslxvii sn rising tide our
convoy turned west; pilot to qusgns6l;6lxviii
base leaving us alone. Watching my now
silent gunslxix 1''en', the bridge, Queenscliff
and Nepeanlxx, what lies ahead we cannot
guess
defeating the German invader,
freedom for France, death lurking alone afar
failure, never!
-
-
Glory for Aussies - first Australian lmperial
Force; from all nations fighting for Eureka
freedom as Father Louis arrived; Now son
returning from southern stars to fight old
tyranny arising from that homeland. How does
an angry gun sound? What will it feelto send
my men to death? Will I cope when it comes?
Behind - those days when no one died
because of my decisions, bad or good, when
foolish flirt became ardent lover, willing to
sacrifice all - all Mother's dreams for me, my
budding careers in militia and engineering,
following that tryst, aftair - and eloping!
No - let me remember Vic, Bert and Mat on
Princes plsrlxxi, lovingly waving till specks
distant my eyes still seeking.
Our marriage tempestuous, uncertain.
Vic strong-willed, then accommodating.
Gradually growing together over the
years. Mat always blunt with me - sister,
true friend, telling me straight - my foolish
infatuation with Annielxxii, 1ry61 disaster
would befall eloping to Adelaide. Picking
up my pieces, caring about Vic when I
rebounded, as Mat had cared for Mother,
then Lou and me with Father,
So different now from recent travels to
Europe and America. Turning then East for
Sydney, Vic and Bert excited at my side.
Men from my brigade trained at
Broadmea6eyTslxxiii. Many camped at
Coldstream by Melba's cottagelxxiv,
scored by Hamiltonlxxv- Kitchener aware.
All silent now, ignoring unknown
horizons; remembering bush
horse-rides, mountain treks,
Sunday dinner at the table, now stands
an empty chair.
Page 23
1e) PRAYER FOfr PEACE
'!41
Choirs. Traditiona[ plus words by Kevin O'Flaherty
ORCHESTRALwith male choir. Turkish words courtesy
Melis Cevik. English words by Kevin O'Flaherty.
Peace on earth, goodwillto all! Lasst Frieden
herrschen in der \rusltr b<xvi Que la paix
rdgne sur lsprsllxxvii Assalamu aleikum wa
rakhmatulls6.lxxviii
And yet, far from radiant Southern Cross,
toiling with hearts, hands blood, sweat and
issps lxxix, with courage, all must now
combine in a war beyond the ocean, that they
say will be "the war to end all wars. lxxx"
THs LAN$tNc
Turks
Watamenozo savu najaroz!
[We will defend our homeland]
Australians
For King and Country
but to make Australia proud!
-
13) nHAHEST WIFH
15) GRASF Wtr$SN
So/o Bass (as Monash). Words by Sir John Monash,
adapted by Kevin O'Flaherty. Written on April2O14,
1915, at sea, bound for Gallipoli.
Soprano and contralto so/or'sfs with female choir.
Words by Kevin O'Flaherty.
Dearest Wife, we received our sailing orders.
lnside a few hours we shall be in the thick
of history's greatest naval military operation;
Australia in the pride of place. That we shall
succeed, I do not entertain any doubt; that
I come through unscathed, alive, is not so
certain. This may be my last opportunity to
talk to you. I want to say briefly, in event of
my going out, believe you me, I do so with
only one reg.ret: the grief this will bring to you,
to Bert lxxxl, Mat and Lou. For myself, lam
prepared to take my chance. On one hand,
to win through safely means honour and
achievement. On the other hand; to fall is an
honourable end.
At best I have few years of vigour left, comes
decay, chill of old age, lingering illness. Full
and active life I have had;
I need not regard a sudden end with dismay,
greatly comforted knowing you will be well
provided, surrounded by many friends, who,
for my sake, will help you to win through all
difficulties that may beset you in the future.
Surely you know how deeply I have always
loved you; how in allthings I have tried to act
in your best interests. I know also you love
me dearly and will honour my memory, Your
husband, John Monash.
Soprano solo (narrator)
Lemnos! lxxxii Third Australian General
Hospital! Grand name - desolate on groundl
Contralto solo (narrator)
Gallipoli guns within hearing!
Both plus choir
So far and so near to Lemnos! So far, /
yet so near!
Soprano solo
Skilled, experienced Wilson lxxviii ssn1,
Choir
Grace Margaret Wilson, from Brisbane.
Soprano solo
Diverted from London and Western Front.
Contralto solo, then the others
Grace Wilson - devastated! Favourite brother
killed!
Soprano/Contralto solo
Dashing Light-horseman - killed!
Bleeding out defending Quinn'st lxxxiv
Critical, below Dead Man's Ridge lxxxv,
above Monash, Most dangerous post on
Anzac!
Soprano solo (as Grace Wilson)
He's my brother!
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