Harold Blair AM 1924-1976

Blair worked hard, and not only at his music studies: he learnt foreign languages and improved
his general education. In 1946 he impressed the American baritone Todd Duncan, the original Porgy in the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess; Duncan was touring for J. & N. Tait, and suggested further study in New York. In November 1948 Blair made his operatic debut at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne as the stuttering clown Vaschek in Gertrude Johnson’s National Theatre Opera production of The Bartered Bride. He sang in recital, at Hector Crawford’s al fresco Music for the People concerts and in oratorio – including a 1948 Messiah under Bernard Heinze (‘The Aboriginal tenor Harold Blair impressed by the feeling he introduced into his singing.’). There was also a tour of Queensland for the ABC. In 1949 Blair married Dorothy Eden, a fellow singing student, and graduated with honours.

A multitude of radio appearances and a national concert tour financed his departure for New York, where he paid for his studies at the Juilliard School of Music by cleaning offices and working as an assistant choir master. He was offered the role of the Kralahome in The King and I, but could not get the necessary clearances; nevertheless, he had the distinction of being the first Aboriginal to appear on American television. The ABC engaged him to return home for a 1951 concert tour. Marjorie Lawrence, John Brownlee, Irving Berlin and Charles Moses were at his March 1951 Farewell Concert at New York Town Hall.

Back in Australia Blair was featured at the Princess in Melbourne in Irene Mitchell’s An Aboriginal Moomba – Out of the Dark, Australia’s first professionally-staged all-Aboriginal production. The ABC tour was less agreeable, in spite of a memorable Gala Jubilee Concert in Melbourne, when he shared the stage with Marjorie Lawrence, Peter Dawson, Beryl Kimber and conductor Joseph Post. The rigorous tour strained his voice, garnered less-than-flattering reviews, and a subsequent contract dispute precluded him from taking professional engagements for three years. Nevertheless, he sang for charity and continued his studies with Katherine Weilaert, who also trained Marie Collier and Lauris Elms. At the same time he taught part-time at the Melba Conservatorium.