Flute played by John Amadio and made by Rudall Carte & Co
Object No. 93/117/30
(See: D Eden and M Lea; The Powerhouse Museum - The Amadio Flutes in Flute Focus, issue 8, October, 2006, pp.18-19)
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Summary
Object Statement
Flute d'Amour, Radcliff system, Alto flute in B-flat, silver / wood / grease / textile / leather, made by Rudall Carte & Co Ltd, London, England, 1923, used by John Amadio, various locations, 1923-1964
Physical Description
Flute d'Amour, Radcliff system, Alto flute in B-flat, silver, used by John Amadio, made by Rudall Carte & Co Ltd, London, England, 1923. Silver alto flute in three pieces with 18 keys on double action and counter levers. Head piece (-1) has capped end and raised mouthpiece. The long middle section (-2) has a complex arrangement of lever and counter lever keys, 15 keyed holes, the top section has decorative ridges and engraving. The foot joint (-3) has three keyed holes and decorative banding top and bottom. The flute is housed in a case (-5) and has a small grease pot (-4) as well as additional key pads (-6).
PRODUCTION
Notes
Made at Rudall Carte by Leonard 18th July, 1923. It is possible that this flute was made to a special order by the flautist John Amadio.
HISTORY
Notes
This flute was sold by Rudall Carte to John Amadio on the 27th of February 1924. New Zealand born John Amadio [1883-1964], whose talent was recognised by Dame Nellie Melba, was one of the great flautists of his day. At the age of 15 he was principal flute to the visiting Italian Grande Opera Company which toured Australia in 1901 and later was appointed principal flute with the first Melba Opera Company. He went on to achieve fame touring Europe and the United States before staying in Britain during World War 2. He returned to Australia in 1947 playing for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, occasionally as soloist, and was principal flute in the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in 1956. From 1959 he lived in Melbourne in semi-retirement. His main public appearances were at open-air concerts at the Myer Music Bowl. It was at a rehearsal for one of these concerts that he died suddenly of a heart attack on 4 April 1964, aged 80. Amadio used this flute to add a different colour to the music he played.
SOURCE
Credit Line
This instrument is part of an acquisition donated by Leslie Barklamb, Judith Turnley and Gwen Colyer, 1993
Acquisition Date
26 March 1993
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