13 Facts About Marie Carandini

Marie Carandini's mother was a cousin of Thomas Medwin, Byron's companion and biographer, and her father claimed a close relationship to Shelley.

Marie Carandini was brought by her parents to Van Diemen's Land in 1833.

Marie Carandini soon established a reputation as a concert singer and operatic prima donna, both in Sydney and Melbourne, and was a popular favourite in many other centres in Australia.

Marie Carandini was frequently billed as "The Australian Jenny Lind".

Marie Carandini has the distinction of having been Australia's first Adalgisa in Bellini's opera Norma beside the Norma of Sara Flower.

Marie Carandini's husband, having received a pardon from the Italian government, went to Italy in 1870, but died at Modena of gastric fever and inflammation of the lungs soon after his arrival.

Madame Marie Carandini continued to sing in concerts for some years in Australia and New Zealand, with visits to the United States and India.

In November 1858 Marie Carandini sang Leonora in Verdi's Il trovatore in a twenty-seven performance season at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne.

The Marie Carandini troupe performed what may have been New Zealand's first full opera production when they performed Henry Bishop's Guy Mannering at Dunedin's Princess Theatre in September 1862.

Marie Carandini had eight children, of whom five daughters were musical and took part in her tours.

Marie Carandini's eldest daughter Rosina Palmer was a notable Australian soprano, while her son Christie Palmerston was an explorer and prospector in northern Queensland.

Marie Carandini's great-grandson was actor Sir Christopher Lee and her great-great-granddaughter is Dame Harriet Walter.

Marie Carandini was the great-grandmother of the actress Hermione Hannen through her daughter Fanny Ellen Hannah Louisa Carandini, who married Sir Henry Morland.