Madelene Van Aardt

Madelene Olivier was born on 14 August 1896 in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Province, then in the Union of South Africa.^[1] She earned an associate degree from Trinity College London, UK.^[2] In 1950 she returned to South Africa, and lived in Somerset East from then onwards.^[2][3] Although the International Encyclopedia of Women Composers describes her as a teacher, it does not list the schools where she taught.^[3] According to her footstone, at some point she married and had children, presumably adopting the surname 'Van Aardt' from her husband.^[4] She died on 6 July 1982 and was buried in Somerset East's main cemetery; her footstone includes an epitaph, THE DAWN HAS BROKEN.^[4]

In the early 20th century, the music of South Africa saw the emergence of a new popular music genre in the Afrikaans language: light Afrikaans music (ligte Afrikaanse musiek).^[5] Van Aardt was among the earliest composers in the genre, alongside Danie Bosman and the Coopers and later, Hendrik Susan [af].^[5] Van Aardt's songs were included in a 1980 collection alongside eight other composers, Afrikaanse treffers.. Deel 2 (Afrikaans Hits... Part 2) published by EMI-Brigadiers Musiek.^[6] Her other published compositions include the novelty piano work Fusion (1935) and a four songs for voice and piano.^[2][3] These songs are variously in English and Afrikaans, with texts by Justus Latsky (1913–1955), Mary Astor, and Van Aardt herself.^[3]

She was associated with the actor-composer Felix de Cola (1906–1983), who published a few of her works.^[3] Her other publishers include the Johannesburg-based firms Voortrekkerpers [af] and Ardmore & Beechwood.^[2] At least two of her works have been recorded; the two Afrikaans songs, "Heimwee" and "Onthou jy nog?" were included by South African singer Chris Blignaut [af] on an LP recording (Columbia AE 612).^[7]