1802

This year, alongside the annual fundraising sermons to raise money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, another Grand Musical Festival was held.

It was the first in Norwich since 1790 and was most likely inspired by a similar successful event in King’s Lynn the previous year.

Concerts included a complete performance of Haydn’s The Creation, a relatively new work and so likely to have been unknown to many in the audience.

The festival had a theme of peace, reflecting the temporary truce between the UK and France in the Revolutionary Wars.

Performers included leading soprano Elizabeth Billington and tenor John Braham.