1958
Art and Theatre
A six day music festival, as part of a run of triennial events.
In an attempt to recognise the need to broaden and encourage new people to the Festival, for the first time, an art exhibition and a theatrical performance (Pride and Prejudice) were included in the programme.
Concerts were conducted by Sir Adrian Boult and Heathcote Statham, with the Cathedral used as a venue for the first time since the days of the annual sermons.
Chamber music concerts were held at the Assembly Rooms, and this was another novelty given the concerts up to this date were usually of orchestral or choral in nature.
The 1958 Festival was the last which cathedral organist Heathcote Statham oversaw as director. Festival performances took place at the cathedral for the first time since the early 1800s. Here is a clip of Statham with the cathedral choir in 1960.
From The Archive Of Recorded Church Music Youtube channel.
Cover of 1958 Festival Programme. Taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Archive.
Concert Programme featuring violinist Yehudi Menuhin and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Archive.
Concert Programme featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor. Taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Archive.