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Rev Dr Domenico Carmusci

Title:

Rev Dr

First Name:

Domenico

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Surname:

Carmusci

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Date of Birth:

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Country of Birth:

Italy

Date of Ordination:

Place of Ordination:

Country of Ordination:

Ordination Diocese:

Seminary:

Date of Death:

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Appointments Table

Diocese
Place
Role
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Source
Brisbane Brisbane18711874Linane Vol 2
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Biographical Notes

Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 23:

Carmusci, Christian N., Italian
Doctor of Music & Organ Piece Composer

The Maestro and Professor of Music at the Sistine Chapel in Rome was in Brisbane only a short time (probably 1871-4), but while there made his presence felt. Brisbane readers may know better than the writer what is implied by saying that he was "master of music and singing at St. James' School" He combined this duty with that of being choirmaster at St. Stephen's Cathedral. The Brisbane papers report that he wrote a number of Masses, Litanies, and Motets. One such composition (apparently a Mass) was sung at St. Stephen's on 22 August 1872. Another Mass composed for the Consecration of St. Stephen's in April 1874 for some reason was not rendered. The 'Brisbane Courier' of 24.9.1874 reported that he had left for Italy on account of ill-health. A book entitled "A Journalist's Memories" by Spencer Browne makes mention of this musical genius. He died in Italy in the early 1900s.
(Footprints, Vol. 2, No. 2)
Ref.: MDHC File, Torquay, per Sister Anne McLay RSM.

---

Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, pp 95-96:
Rev Dr Domenico Carmusci

Bishop Quinn brought to Brisbane sixteen priests and several gifted laymen from Italy. Some arrived in February 1871 and others in September of that year. Dr Carmusci arrived at a later date and made a deep impression for his musical ability.

Domenico Carmusci, former Sistine Professor of Music, won high praise in Sydney and Brisbane for performances of his own sacred music. One wonders if the non-performance of his Mass written for the Opening of St Stephen's Cathedral had anything to do with his departure to Sydney.(1)

Rev Dr Chris Hanlon has recorded of Fr Carmusci:
Between 1871(sic) and 1874 he was Master of Music and Singing at St James' School, Fortitude Valley, and Choirmaster of St Stephen's Cathedral. During this time he wrote two Masses [one of which was performed on 22 August 1872, and the other which was written for the Dedication of the Cathedral in April 1874, but never performed], a litany, several Offertory Motets, and settings for the hymns O Salutaris and Tantum Ergo.
His work met with greater recognition in Sydney, it seems, than in Brisbane
.(2)

Reports about his work and concerts appeared in Queensland and New South Wales newspapers, both religious and secular:

A New Mass, which has been composed by the Rev D Carmusci, was sung at St Stephen's Church on September 22. The congregation was very large, the church being even more inconveniently crowded than is usual the case at divine service. The occasion attracted a considerable number of members of other denominations. The choir was an excellent one, comprising a good proportion of our professional and amateur musical talent, and the composer had little reason to complain regarding the rendering of his composition. Father Carmusci, while not aspiring to the genius of a Mozart, has given to the world many more productions, chiefly of a religious character, which have been largely appreciated, and his latest effort will add vastly to his reputation.(3)

The Sydney Freeman's Journal carried this report:(4)
Queensland. St Stephen's Church: Among the various commissions executed by the Rev Dr Quinn, the Roman Catholic Bishop Brisbane, was (says the Brisbane Telegraph of the 20th ult) the purchase of a very splendid organ for St Stephen's Church, the erection of which has just been completed by Mr P C Atkinson, the organist, and for the first time was used yesterday morning at the 11 o'clock, when the Mass Mozart's in C No 1 was selected, and sung right through; the principal parts being sustained by Mrs Atkinson and her son; they were also materially assisted by the Rev D Carmusci, and in the basso part by a gentleman amateur. The result was a most effective performance of this beautiful composition. The instrument contains three manuals and 29 notes of pedals. There are four stops on what is termed the 'great organ', four on the swell organ, and three on the choir organ, with couplers for each completer. Dr Domenic Carmusci, late of the Sistine Chapel, has kindly consented to give a CONCERT in aid of funds for the Brisbane Hospital, October 20, at the School of Arts, Brisbane.(5)

The same newspaper gave a full programme for the concert.(6) Two days later the Telegraph carried a full report of the concert.(7)

It was reported in September 1874 that Dr Carmusci had returned to Italy due to ill health. This is interesting for we have a newspaper report that he was a passenger leaving Brisbane for Sydney on 7 November 1874.(8)

Two months later the Queenslander carried this report:(9)

Prior to Dr Carmusci's departure from Brisbane, a few of his admirers presented to him, as a mark of their appreciation of his merits as a gentleman and his talents as a musician, a very handsome gold watch, chain, and locket. The presentation took place in the apartment of the President of the Legislative Council, who had consented to be the spokesman on the occasion. Dr Carmusci carried with him many good wishes.(10)

In fact Dr Carmusci had moved to Sydney where he hoped that his music ministry would be more appreciated.

Signor Domenico Carmusci, Professor of singing from the Sistine Chapel, Rome, begs to announce that he is prepared to give LESSONS. For terms apply to W H Paling, Pianoforte and Music warehouse 335 George Street.(11)

As Dr Chris Hanlon informs us:
His work met with greater recognition in Sydney, it seems, than in Brisbane.
The Courier of 24 September 1874 reported that he had returned to Italy due to ill-health.
His influence was remembered in Brisbane. Spencer Browne in his book A Journalist's Memories referred to his genius: while the Dedication Mass, originally written in 1874, was finally performed during the celebration which surrounded the re-Dedication of the Cathedral, in December 1990
.(12)

It was reported that he died in Italy in the early 1900s.(13)

Footnotes
1. Yvonne Margaret McLay, James Quinn: First Bishop of Brisbane, 1979, pp. 91 and 92.
2. Dr Chris Hanlon, Research into Domenico Carmusci, August 2016.
3. Queenslander, Brisbane, 28 Sep 1872, p. 3.
4. Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 8 Feb 1873, p. 6
5. Brisbane Courier, 10 Oct 1874, p.1.
6. Ibid. 19 Oct 1874, p. 2.
7. Telegraph, 21 Oct 1874, p. 2.
8. Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, Ipswich, 8 Nov 1874, p. 2.
9. Courier, 24 Sep 1874, p. 2.
10. Queenslander, 14 Nov 1874, p. 4.
11. Sydney Morning Herald, 2 Jan 1875.
12. Dr Chris Hanlon, op. cit.
13. Sister Anne McLay, in Footprints Vol 2, No 2, Jan 1974.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.

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