1899
Bright Names In British Music
A four day music festival, as part of a run of triennial events.
Some of the brightest names in British music came to Norwich in 1899, including Samuel Coleridge Taylor, a composer of West African heritage, who gave the second complete public performance of his cantata Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast complete with a brand-new overture written for the occasion. Coleridge Taylor’s appearance caused some excitement, so much so that the committee deeded it necessary to provide him with a taxi to St Andrew’s Hall so as to avoid him any potential awkwardness. He later wrote of the brilliance of the Festival Chorus and was such a hit with the crowds that he was invited back in 1905.
Also this year Elgar conducted his new song cycle Sea Pictures with the contralto Clara Butt, the solo vocalist for whom he had written the work. Butt created a sensation when she appeared on the stage in a flowing dress designed to resemble a mermaid’s tale, full of shimmering jewels and ornate decoration. Both Butt’s appearance and the new work would live on in the memories of those who were in attendance, and Sea Pictures continues to be one Elgar’s best loved compositions.
As in 1877, live music at St Andrew’s Hall was piped down phone lines to the Institute for the Blind on Magdalen Street and also to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on St Stephens. Five transmitters were positioned around the stage and gave a ‘full-toned reproduction’ of the music. Organized by the Norwich Mutual Telephone Company, the director of which also sat on the Festival Committee, it provided much enjoyment to those on the receiving end whilst also having the advantage of educating ‘public opinion to the advantages of the telephone’.
Programme and Travel Arrangements
Festival programme and arrangements. Taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Archive
Transport arrangements taken from the Festival programme. From the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Archive
Elgar 'Sea Pictures'
Listen to this recording of Clara Butt singing Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’, recorded in 1920.
Clara Butt was the original soloist in the premiere in the 1899 Festival, conducted by the composer.
Festival Futures Animations
An animation inspired by Dame Clara Butt, made in 2023 by the Festival Futures group, as part of the Festival Forever project.
Written, drawn and animated by Nu Woodward Kirsch, voiceover by Joanne Sanfoot. Music by Kerry Green.
An animation about the story of Samuel Coleridge Taylor, made in 2023 by the Festival Futures group, as part of the Festival Forever project.
Produced by Kaj and Brandon. Vocals by Kaj. Music by Amelia.