1824

The 1824 Festival became the first in a run of triennial festivals that would stretch to 1988, with the only interruptions coming during the two world wars.

The renowned conductor brought in to direct the 1824 Festival was Sir George Smart, an associate of composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Carl Maria von Weber. An orchestra formed of professional musicians from London and local amateurs provided the music and renowned vocalists such as Eliza Salmon, Kitty Stephens and Manuel Garcia sung solos. A new Festival Chorus made up of local singers was formed by Edward Taylor and were put through their paces in a mix of new and familiar repertoire.

Four days of morning and evening concerts were held at St Andrew’s Hall, which the local corporation (the city council of the day) paid to have gas lit and made accessible. A Grand Ball closed the festivities. Combined concert attendance for the week topped 8,500 whilst another 1,180 people attended the ball.

Tickets cost upwards from 10s for entrance to the hall and £1, 1s for a patron’s gallery ticket; prices that were out of reach for many ordinary people. Instead, the county’s gentry and upper classes were the main ticket holders at most of the festivals – a trend that would continue well into the twentieth century. Those who could not afford to attend, gained much pleasure in absorbing the atmosphere and celebrity spotting on the city streets.

Just under £2,400 profit was made in 1824 – around £140,000 in today’s money – an amount which was never beaten in all the years the Festival was a fundraiser.

Smart was given the freedom of the city for his efforts in making the event a success.

Programme from 1824. Image courtesy of Norfolk County Council Library and Information Service

An animation made by the Festival Futures group. Produced by Max, music by performed by Max and produced by his uncle.