1905
The London Symphony Orchestra
A four day music festival, as part of a run of triennial events.
For the first time, a full professional orchestra – the London Symphony Orchestra – was hired as the resident orchestra, ending the tradition of a ‘festival orchestra’ assembled from scratch each year.
No fewer than fifteen new compositions by British composers were featured in 1905, including Hubert Parry and Coleridge Taylor, with varying success rates!
In addition, a new look festival brochure was launched with photos, articles and potted biographies of those involved. It was sold for 6d, and those particularly keen to learn more could also attend musical lectures held before each concert.
Jenny Lind Hospital
A photograph of the Jenny Lind Hospital, one of the charities to benefit from the Festival.
From the Festival Programme, taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival archive
Souvenir
Alberto Randegger’s last Festival as Director
Quote written by Algernon S. Wilde in Norfolk and Norwich Festival Illustrated Souvenir 1905
“Appointed to succeed Sir Julius Benedict in 1881, Mr. Randegger will for the ninth time act as Conductor-in-chief. He is able to look back on many a triumph, and has the satisfaction of knowing that for a quarter of a century he has enjoyed the full confidence of the Committee, and that he has commanded the hearty goodwill and unswerving loyalty of all who have been called upon to respond to his baton.”
Illustrated souvenir. Image Courtesy of Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
Illustrated souvenir. Image Courtesy of Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
A photo of Alberto Randegger, from the 1905 Illustrated Souvenir. Image Courtesy of Norfolk & Norwich Festival.