Edward Stanelli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Stanelli
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Stanley de Groot |
| Born | 16 June 1894 Dublin, Ireland |
| Origin | London |
| Died | 12 February 1961 (aged 66) Datchet, Berkshire, England |
| Genres | Classical, light orchestral |
| Occupation(s) | Violinist, comic entertainer, conductor |
Edward Stanley de Groot (born June 16, 1894 – died February 12, 1961) was a very talented musician and entertainer. He was born in Ireland but became famous in Britain. Most people knew him by his stage name, Stanelli. He was a great violinist, a composer who wrote music, and a funny comedian.
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Meet Edward Stanelli: A Musical Life
Edward Stanelli was born in Dublin, Ireland. When he was a child, his family moved to London, England. He loved music from a young age. He studied violin at two famous schools: the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. In 1909, he even won an award for his amazing violin playing! During the First World War, he served in the London Scottish Regiment.
Stanelli's Musical Journey
Stanelli wrote many pieces for the violin. He played in some of the most famous orchestras in Britain. These included the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Halle Orchestra. He was a very skilled musician.
Comedy and Music on Stage
Besides playing classical music, Stanelli was also a fantastic entertainer. He often performed in variety shows. He usually worked as part of a duo, like "Stanelli and Douglas" or "Stanelli and Edgar." In these acts, he would tell funny jokes before they played their music.
Stanelli and Douglas even performed at the special Royal Variety Performance in 1928. Stanelli and Edgar were known as "The Fiddle Fanatics." They were very popular on BBC radio in the 1930s.
The Hornchestra: Stanelli's Unique Invention
Stanelli was also an inventor! He created a very unusual musical instrument called the "Hornchestra." It was made from car horns and other horns, all attached to a big metal frame. Each horn made a different note. He used this funny invention in his shows. You can even see it in the 1934 film Radio Parade of 1935.
Stanelli on the Radio and TV
In 1935, Stanelli came up with a new idea for a radio show. He recorded a party at his own home. The BBC liked it so much that they broadcast an edited version called Stanelli's Stag Party. This led to a long-running radio series, later renamed Stanelli's Bachelor Party.
These shows were very popular. Famous guests like Norman Long often appeared with him. Sometimes, Stanelli and Long performed together. Edited versions of their shows were even released as gramophone records. Stanelli also showed off his Hornchestra on television in 1937. In 1939, he had another radio show called Stanelli's Crazy Cruise, where he played a ship's captain.
Stanelli in Films
Stanelli also appeared in movies. He helped create the music for films like Greek Street (1930) and The Adventures of Jane (1949). He also acted in small parts in movies such as Hearts of Humanity (1936), Old Mother Riley Overseas (1943), and Dear Mr. Prohack (1949).
Later Career as a Conductor
As he got older, Stanelli became a conductor and composer. His musical work called Atlantis was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra in 1946. Sometimes, he even conducted these famous orchestras himself.
In the 1950s, he often conducted the orchestra for pantomime shows at the New Theatre Oxford. He finished his career leading a dance band. In his later years, he sometimes appeared on BBC TV shows that looked back at old times. He also judged talent contests on television.
Edward Stanelli passed away in Datchet, Berkshire, England, in 1961.]
