Ewart Chapple
Marie Bremner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 April 1904 Windsor, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 1980-09-20 |
| Occupation(s) | Soprano singer, musical theatre performer |
| Years active | 1920s–1940s |
| Known for | Interpretations of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, musical comedy, radio variety programs |
| Spouse | James Richard Ewart Chapple (m. 1928) |
Marie Alice Bremner (13 April 1904 – 20 September 1980) was an Australian soprano celebrated for her interpretations of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She became well-known in musical comedy, making a successful shift from theatrical stages to radio variety programs. Producers appreciated her readiness to step into principal roles with minimal notice and her consistent delivery of highly praised performances. Her accompanist husband, Ewart Chapple, progressed to prominent executive positions within the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
Early life and career
Originating from Windsor, Victoria, Bremner was the eldest child of Ernest J. L. Bremner, a distinguished member of the Australian Natives' Association, and Elizabeth Charlotte "Bessie" Bremner. Both parents possessed strong musical talents, which inspired Marie to begin piano lessons at eight years old. She pursued formal training at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, where she secured the esteemed Dame Nellie Melba Scholarship in 1921. This award supported two years of study focusing on European languages essential for performers in Grand Opera.
Bremner became part of the chorus for the Melba-Williamson Grand Opera Company, appearing in productions such as The Lady of the Rose, The Street Singer, and Rose-Marie. She rapidly progressed to understudy major soprano roles in shows including Rose-Marie, Wildflower, Princess Charming, and The Desert Song. Following Virginia Perry’s departure after 175 performances, Bremner successfully assumed the leading soprano position. Additionally, she took over several roles from Mascotte Ralston when Ralston left for America.
In 1930, Bremner co-starred with Lance Fairfax in J. C. Williamson's staging of The New Moon at Sydney’s Her Majesty's Theatre. Subsequent revivals featured her in The Belle of New York and A Country Girl. A brief illness interrupted her career during which Romola Hansen substituted for her—a pioneering instance in Australia where an understudy was flown in. Later that year, she appeared in Lilac Time and toured New Zealand with the company, although Hansen covered her parts during this tour.
By December 1930, JCW established a dedicated Gilbert and Sullivan troupe with Bremner as principal soprano alongside distinguished performers like Gregory Stroud and Dorothy Gill. The 1931–32 season commenced with The Gondoliers in Adelaide, followed by Melbourne performances that included Trial By Jury, Iolanthe, and Bremner’s lead role in Patience. While some critiques noted issues with her focus in Patience, she remained integral to these productions.
During the 1932 season at Melbourne’s Theatre Royal, Bremner portrayed significant roles in The Gondoliers, Ruddigore, and took on Elsie Maynard in The Yeomen of the Guard. The company relocated to Sydney in 1933, presenting successful runs of various Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, including Bremner’s role as Yum Yum in The Mikado. Radio adaptations such as those of Lilac Time broadened her audience reach.
Bremner did not participate in the company’s South African tour led by producer Minnie Everett in 1933; Elsie Griffin served as her replacement. By this time, her husband Ewart Chapple had been promoted to programme manager for New South Wales and Queensland at the ABC. Due to conflict-of-interest policies, Bremner made selective radio concert appearances but was notably featured in broadcasts like "Waltz Time" in 1934.
In 1934, she headlined a successful South African tour of Rose-Marie under ballet mistress Ruby Morriss—the second woman to produce for JCW. Afterward, Bremner and Chapple traveled to London where she appeared as a guest artist on BBC Radio.
Expanding her artistic range, Bremner gave a recital of traditional English songs at Sydney's Conservatorium Hall in July 1935. Later that year, she reprised her role as Margot in a revival of The Desert Song and received critical praise for her performance as Sally Hook in Miss Hook of Holland.
Later years
In January 1936, Bremner underwent major surgery in Melbourne, followed by a six-month recovery period spent in the Blue Mountains alongside her husband. By mid-1936, she stepped in to save the Gipsy Princess company, replacing German soprano Maria Elsner. The following month, Bremner and Strella Wilson starred in Waltzes from Vienna, a musical biography centered on Johann Strauss.
From 1936 through 1938, Bremner appeared in numerous radio adaptations of well-known musicals including Dorothy, The Student Prince, The Belle of New York, The Country Girl, and The Lilac Domino. In 1937, her radio operetta performances featured works such as Alfred Hill's A Moorish Maid, Muriel Lesley and D. Bowes-Kelly's The Gay Deceivers and The Rebel Prince, along with Howard Ellis Carr's "Love Wins Through". She also took part in Perth stage productions like The Belle of New York, The Duchess of Dantzic, and Véronique, highlighting local compositions including Yehunda's "Awake, Beloved". In Brisbane, she stood in for Gladys Moncrieff during radio versions of Lionel Monckton's The Cingalee and The Student Prince. Musicals aired in 1938 featured Strauss's Gipsy Baron and Frederick Whaite's The Daughter of the Dragon. Alongside these, Bremner engaged in variety programs and recitals, notably headlining in The Country Girl in May 1941.
A significant concert took place in March 1937 at Sydney Town Hall, sponsored by A.W.A., where Bremner performed with a full symphony orchestra conducted by François Stempinski and shared the stage with four pianists, including Isador Goodman. In February 1939, she appeared in a revival of A Waltz Dream at Melbourne’s Her Majesty's Theatre.
In 1941, Bremner returned to live theatre as an emergency substitute in JCW’s revue Funny Side Up, performing alongside Clem Dawe and Dick Bentley. After Viola Wilson married Frank Tait, Bremner assumed lead roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas: portraying Elsie Maynard in The Yeomen of the Guard (August) and Yum Yum in The Mikado (September). She maintained her involvement with JCW’s Musical Comedy Company by starring in Kissing Time before resuming radio concert appearances. During World War II, she participated extensively in patriotic and charity concerts benefiting organizations such as the Red Cross and Legacy.
By 1944, Bremner had resumed several Gilbert and Sullivan roles including the title character in Patience, May Rosebud in Ruddigore, and Yum Yum once again in The Mikado. Her radio career continued throughout the 1940s primarily with the ABC, supplemented by occasional performances on the Macquarie Network’s Musical Comedy Theatre.
Her husband, Ewart Chapple, was appointed ABC State Manager for Western Australia late in 1947. During their five-year residence there, Bremner became actively involved within Perth’s artistic circles. After an extended trip across Europe, the couple returned to Australia where Chapple took on the role of State Manager for Victoria.
Bremner passed away at Wentworth Falls, New South Wales.
Other interests
Marie Bremner was passionate about outdoor activities including swimming, golf, tennis, and horseback riding, while also appreciating folk music traditions.
In line with her mentor Dame Nellie Melba’s example, Bremner dedicated herself to nurturing emerging vocal talent:
- She supported Jean Duncan by accompanying her on interstate tours that would have otherwise been restricted by Duncan’s parents.
- In 1936, she played a crucial role in advancing baritone Robert Nicholson’s career. Nicholson, born in Bexley in 1906, earned a scholarship to Melbourne University Conservatorium in 1929 and pursued further studies abroad influenced by Richard Crooks. He performed at Carnegie Hall in 1938 to critical acclaim and attracted attention from Sir Thomas Beecham at the Metropolitan Opera House. The Nicholson-Dawson vocal score collection held at the National Library of Australia is named after him and his brother John alongside Peter Dawson.
- In 1939, she assisted fundraising efforts enabling Queensland pianist Katharine Anscombe to study at the Royal College of Music.
- Between 1946 and 1947, Bremner contributed concerts to support a testimonial fund for bass-baritone John Probyn from Arncliffe, who subsequently joined Sadler's Wells Opera and married fellow singer Marjorie Shires (later Marjorie Probyn-Lee).
- Additionally, she championed young Australian creatives such as songwriter Robyn Teakle, poet/playwright John Wheeler, and painter Ella Fry.
While living in Perth, Bremner also provided coaching for an amateur operetta theatre ensemble.
Recordings
- Columbia released Bremner's renditions of "If I'm Dreaming" (from Sally) and "Coo" (from A Country Girl)
- Additional recordings for Columbia include "Down in the Forest" and "April Morn"
Personal
On 2 June 1928, Bremner wed James Richard Ewart Chapple (1901–1995), a pianist who accompanied performers; the couple did not have children. Chapple gained recognition as the regular accompanist at radio station 2FC and subsequently served as ABC's Victoria manager.
Her brother, Ernest Bennett-Bremner, held the position of publicity manager at Qantas. In 1935, he married Alix Lamb, a women's cricket athlete and socialite; following their separation, he remarried in 1946 to Mervyn Beaver (née Pitt). Ernest actively participated in amateur theatre and supported children's charitable organizations.
Greta Constance Bremner, her younger sister and singer, became the wife of aviator C. W. A. Scott in 1936; their marriage ended in divorce by 1940. Scott passed away in 1946.