Clarence M. Leumane
C M Leumane (died 1928) was an English born actor, singer, songwriter and librettist, writer of the song “The Lambton Worm” in 1867.
Life
Very little is known of the writer but what can be gleaned from various publications is that he was born in England, assumedly in the North East and possibly Sunderland area as the words of the song “The Lambton Worm” are from the “Mackem” dialect.
He was also known as Clarence H Leumane and Jack Leumane and was variously described as an actor, singer, librettist and songwriter.
He went to Australia to perform with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1881, decided to remain there, and died in South Australia on 23 February 1928.
Works
The Lambton Worm is an old folk tale, similar to the tale of Saint George and the Dragon, going back centuries which was turned into a children’s Pantomime. As “C M Leumane” he wrote the song, and the pantomime was first performed at Tyne Theatre and Opera House,[1] Newcastle upon Tyne in 1867. The song became a local anthem.
As “C M Leumane” he is credited as librettist (with the music by Ernest Truman[2] ) for the Opera “Mathias” which was based on the story “Le Juif Polonais” (or The Polish Jew) by M.M. Erckmann-Chatrian. This Opera was given its world premiere at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney on 26 July 1901 with C M Leumane also credited as the director, and with playing/singing the part of “Mathias”
C M Leumane’s name also appears as the writer of the words and music of a work entitled “Advance Australia”[3][4] which is described as a chorale for voice and piano. (NOTE – this is not Advance Australia Fair, written by Peter Dodds McCormick in 1878 and which became the Australian National Anthem in 1984)
C.M. Leumane is also credited as the lyricist of the one act music play "Coward or hero?"[5] – published by Hussey & Gillingham of Adelaide in 1909.
Using the name Clarence M Leumane (tenor), he played “Faust” at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne in 1887.
An old photograph[6] signed (vertically in the top right hand corner) with “Yours truly C.M. Leumane 27/11/90" and with the name “Leumane, Clarence” along the top, survives.
Note
Although there is very little cross referencing in the sources, it is assumed that the above are one and the same person.
See also
References
- ^ "Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle upon Tyne".
- ^ "Australian Dictionary of Biography".
- ^ "National Library of Australia".
- ^ Advance Australia. Sydney : Nicholson & Co. ; Melbourne : Allan & Co. ; Adelaide : S. Marshall & Sons. c1910. p. 5.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ A one act music play "Coward or hero?". Hussey & Gillingham; Adelaide. 1909. p. 8.
- ^ Signed photograph of Clarence M Leumane. by Stewart & Co, 42 Bourne Street, Melbourne,Australia. 27 November 1890.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
External links
- New South Wales State Library
- The Bibliography of Australian Literature
- Australian Variety Theatre Archives
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