Arthur H. Otto

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Arthur Hermann Otto (born 10 February 1876) was an organist, composer, singer and teacher of music in Adelaide, South Australia. He had a later singing and teaching career in England as Arthur Kingston-Stewart.

History[]

Otto was the only son of (c. 1848 – 4 October 1894) and his wife Margaret Otto, née Stewart, (c. 1852 – 13 February 1934) who married in 1874. Frederick, a tobacconist, was a fine singer, a member and secretary of Adelaide Liedertafel. Their family home, from around 1890 to 1923, was "Bonella Villa", 204 Halifax Street, Adelaide.

He studied piano as a boy and by age 12 he was accompanying his father's singing at public concerts.[1] He studied piano under Signor and organ under John Millard Dunn[2] and was appointed his assistant organist and choirmaster of St. Peter's Cathedral sometime before 1896, when he himself was advertising for students.[3]

In 1902 Rev. appointed Otto as organist and choirmaster for St John's Church, Adelaide, with the aim of reorganising and training the choir into the traditional Anglican cathedral model.[4] He acted as accompanist to visiting artists Ada Crossley, Evangeline Florence and .[1] He taught piano and organ privately; a noted student was John Dempster, who would later follow him as organist at St. John's.[5] His voice students include .[6]

In 1908 he began giving vocal concerts, accompanied by on violin.[7] He also acted as judge of singing contests organised by the Literary Societies' Union.[8]

Nelly Melba heard him sing, and advised further training in Europe.[1] In November 1909 he and his wife left by the RMS Moldavia for Paris to undertake further vocal studies under Jean de Reszke.[9]

In 1911 he and his wife adopted the surname Kingston-Stewart[1] and enjoyed considerable popular success in England. He notably gave concerts for soldiers blinded by gas during the war,[10] and spent some time touring. He then settled down in London as a singing teacher.

Compositions[]

  • Farewell Divinest Hope
  • And They Glorified God (anthem)
  • To Arms, Ye Brave (patriotic song, lyrics by R. Barrett) 1900
  • Bobs March
  • Century Exhibition Ode (lyrics by C. C. Paltridge) performed by the at the opening, 1900 Exhibition.[11]
  • Coronation Anthem 1902
  • Exhibition Ode (lyrics by G. F. Chinner) similarly performed by the Adelaide Choral Society at the opening, 1910 Exhibition.[12]
  • The County Palatine 1913
  • The Dear Old Home is Calling (lyrics by Hubi-Newcombe) 1914
  • I Know a Little Woodland Nest (lyrics by P. J. O'Reilly) 1940

Family[]

Arthur Hermann Otto married Blanche Victoria Barnfield (1876 – 2 November 1950) at St Peter's Cathedral on 26 September 1900. They had a son:

  • Geoffrey Frederick Kingston Otto (11 February 1902 – )

Arthur and Blanche changed their surnames to Kingston-Stewart around 1911. Blanche's mother was previously a Kingston; Arthur's mother a Stewart. His mother reverted her surname to Stewart[13] and left for London in 1923.[14] His sister, May Otto, studied singing in London under Minna Fischer and later gave lessons.[15] She also adopted the surname Stewart and later lived in Ruthven Mansions, Pulteney Street, Adelaide. She made many trips to London for extended visits to her brother.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "Musical Notes". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXVI, no. 20, 287. South Australia. 18 November 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia. This name change was some years before the tide of anti-German sentiment that resulted in a wholesale renaming of German placenames in Australia.
  2. ^ "Art in Adelaide". The Daily Herald (Adelaide). Vol. 3, no. 864. South Australia. 28 December 1912. p. 1 (Magazine Section). Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Advertising". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. XXXVIII, no. 11625. South Australia. 21 January 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 7 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Church Notes". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 30 January 1932. p. 7. Retrieved 5 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Passing By". The News (Adelaide). Vol. XXIII, no. 3, 550. South Australia. 5 December 1934. p. 6. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Full transcript of Allison Murchie interview with Alf Gard" (PDF). State Library of South Australia. 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Mr. Otto's Vocal Recital". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXIII, no. 19, 331. South Australia. 27 October 1908. p. 7. Retrieved 5 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Literary Societies' Union". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXIV, no. 19, 608. South Australia. 16 September 1909. p. 9. Retrieved 5 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Musical Notes". Evening Journal. Vol. XLIV, no. 12252. South Australia. 16 July 1910. p. 6. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Blinded Soldiers". The Observer (Adelaide). Vol. LXXV, no. 5, 709. South Australia. 22 June 1918. p. 39. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Music and Musicians". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXXIV, no. 22, 562. South Australia. 3 March 1919. p. 5. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "The Opening Ceremony". The Daily Herald (Adelaide). Vol. 1, no. 17. South Australia. 25 March 1910. p. 7. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Family Notices". The News (Adelaide). Vol. XXII, no. 3, 299. South Australia. 14 February 1934. p. 10. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Advertising". The News (Adelaide). Vol. I, no. 62. South Australia. 3 October 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 7 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Advertising". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. XLVIII, no. 14, 756. South Australia. 2 February 1906. p. 2. Retrieved 7 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
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