CARANDINI, Marie (1826-1894)

singer

daughter of W. H. Burgess, was born at Brixton, London, in 1826 and was brought by her parents to Tasmania in 1833. At the age of 17 she married Jerome Carandini, an Italian of noble birth, who was a political refugee. She came to Sydney in 1846 and studied under Isaac Nathan (q.v.) and other teachers. She soon established a reputation as a concert singer and as an operatic prima donna, both at Sydney and Melbourne, and was a popular favourite throughout Australia. Her husband having received a pardon from the Italian government went to Italy in 1870, but died at Modena soon after his arrival. Madame Carandini continued to sing in concerts for some years throughout Australia and New Zealand, with visits to America and India. She had eight children of whom five daughters were musical and took part in her tours. She died at London in 1894. Her eldest daughter, Mrs Palmer, is noticed separately.

J. H. Heaton, Australian Dictionary of Dates: Kenyon Papers, P. L. Melb.; G. R. Davies, Music Makers of the Sunny South.