James Penberthy

James Penberthy AM (3 May 1917 - 29 March 1999) was an Australian composer and journalist. [ [http://www.amcoz.com.au/composers/composer.asp?id=336 JAMES PENBERTHY : Represented Composer (1917-1999)] (Australian Music Centre) Retrieved: 9 March 2007.]

He was born Albert James Penberthy in Melbourne in 1917. He served with the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. He then studied at the University of Melbourne, where he obtained first class honours in composition. He later studied composition with Nadia Boulanger in Paris, and conducting with Sir John Barbirolli in England. He made his home in Perth, Western Australia where he founded the West Australian Opera Company and was co-founder of the West Australian Ballet Company.

In 1975 he moved to the north coast of New South Wales. He founded the School of Arts at Southern Cross University. He died there in 1999.

Works

He wrote prolifically in many genres, but is best known for his 22 ballets and 11 operas. His best known works are "The Beach Inspector and the Mermaid" and "Ophelia of the Nine Mile Beach".

Honours

Penberthy was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Melbourne University in 1975 and was appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in 1986.

References

Persondata
NAME=Penberthy, Albert James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Twentieth century Australian composer and journalist
DATE OF BIRTH=3 May 1917
PLACE OF BIRTH=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
DATE OF DEATH=29 March 1999
PLACE OF DEATH=Australia