Nathan, Isaac (1790-1864), was one of Australia’s first composers. In May 1847, he completed Don John of Austria, the first opera composed and staged in Australia. Nathan also composed a number of other musical works for the stage. Nearly all were comic operas. He also transcribed Aboriginal music as well as Australian melodies in two books, Koorinda Braia (1842) and The Southern Euphrosyne (1849). In addition, Nathan composed several patriot odes.
Nathan was born in Canterbury in the United Kingdom and was music librarian to King George IV. His first success as a composer was Hebrew Melodies (1815-1819). In this composition, Nathan adapted ancient Hebrew chants to poems written by the English poet Lord Byron. In 1841, Nathan immigrated to Australia and became choral director at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, New South Wales. He died on Jan. 15, 1864.
