Leeds Festival (classical music)

History

The first festival celebrated the opening of Leeds Town Hall by Queen Victoria on 7 September 1858. A second festival was held in 1874, then it was held every three years until 1970. For the two festivals in the 1870s, Sir Michael Costa was principal conductor. For the next seven festivals, until 1898, the principal conductor was Sir Arthur Sullivan. King George V was the festival's patron in 1922; his daughter, The Princess Royal, sister of King George VI, and her husband also became patrons in anticipation of their wedding in 1922. From the 1920s, Princess Mary had attended the opening nights and many of the festival's performances, and later, with her son, George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood, and his wife, the Countess of Harewood, née Marion Stein, a former concert pianist. Lascelles was a noted music critic whose career included the role of artistic director of the Leeds Triennial Musical Festival (1958–74).

In April 1953, members of the public were for the first time told by the festival's chairman, Sir George Martin, that they may not be permitted to attend the rehearsals of some of the performances. In 1949, Sir George, an ex-Lord Mayor of Leeds (1947), had been president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce. Leeds woollen manufacturer and solicitor, Mr R. Noel Middleton, was a member of the Executive Committee of the Festival and, in 1937, 1947 and 1950, he was chairman of the Programme Committee. Middleton was also chairman of the Northern Philharmonic Orchestra, of which the Princess Royal was patron. The Northern Philharmonic Orchestra first played at the Leeds Festival in 1937.

Dissolution

The last Leeds Triennial Musical Festival was held in 1985. The Leeds Festival Chorus, which was founded for the first festival, became independent in 1976, and continues to perform, broadcast and make recordings.

References

Sources

References

1. Howarth, Paul. "Sullivan's First Leeds Festival". The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive.
2. (4 February 1922). "The King as Patron". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer.
3. (10 January 1949). "Several well-known Leeds musical authorities tell of the opportunities afforded them to talk things musical to her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal". Yorkshire Evening Post.
4. (5 October 1937). "The Princess Royal and Princess Helena Victoria arrived today for the opening concert of Leeds Musical Festival". Yorkshire Evening Post.
5. (10 January 1949). "Several well-known Leeds musical authorities tell of the opportunities afforded them to talk things musical to her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal". Yorkshire Evening Post.
6. (6 September 1950). "Hoping for a Boy". Barrier Miner, Broken Hill.
7. Ponsonby, Robert. (January 2015). "Lascelles, George Henry Hubert, seventh earl of Harewood (1923–2011)".
8. (30 March 1949). "Sir George Martin". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer.
9. (25 April 1953). "Public may not hear rehearsals of Leeds Musical Festival". Yorkshire Evening Post.
10. (19 May 1948). "Funeral of Earl". Yorkshire Evening Post.
11. (23 September 2006). "Valerie Middleton - Grandmother of Prince William's Girlfriend". The Yorkshire Post.
12. (3 July 1951). "Obituary – Mr R. Noel Middleton (Born Dec. 25 1875, Died July 2, 1951)". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer.
13. (19 August 1944). "AMUSEMENTS - THE NORTHERN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. SATURDAY CONCERTS. SEASON 1944-45".
14. (5 July 1945). "NORTHERN PHILHARMONIC". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Yorkshire.
15. (27 January 1943). "ORCHESTRA PLANS". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer.
16. (2003). "Discovering Leeds - Memories of The Northern Philharmonic Orchestra". Leeds City Council.
17. (2003). "Triennial Music Festivals". Leeds City Council UK.