Offering a “Glimpse of Far-away Places”: The Elias Tamburitza Serenaders on the 1930–1931 Canadian Chautauqua Circuit

Sažetak

Early twentieth century American-based tamburitza orchestras participated in chautauqua cultural, educational and entertainment tours that travelled to thousands of rural and small towns throughout the United States and Canada. One of the groups that participated in these tours was the Elias Tamburitza Serenaders from Racine, Wisconsin. Founded in 1924 and led by tamburitza virtuoso Charles Elias Sr., the ensemble was among the acts that performed at 84 different locations while taking part in the Canadian Chautauqua Festival during fall 1930 and winter 1931. Despite the prevalence of Anglo-conformity and fear of undesirable Eastern European immigrants flooding Canada, the acceptance of ethnocultural musical groups such as tamburitza orchestras, was due in large part to the success of chautauqua’s ability to present the mystery of distant lands to isolated rural folk starving for a connection to the outside world. North American audiences were not only introduced to strange and colorful folk costumes donned by the Elias Tamburitza Serenaders, but were also introduced to a unique musical instrument often extoled as “authentic,” “distinctive” and “exotic.”

Ključne riječi: Canadian Chautauqua Festival, Charles Elias Sr., chautauqua, Elias Tamburitza Serenaders, tamburitza