A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Leeds Musical Festival

by George Grove

LEEDS MUSICAL FESTIVAL. The first of these meetings took place in 1858, Sept. 7–10, in the new Town Hall, after the opening of that building by the Queen—conductor, Sir (then Professor) Sterndale Bennett, whose May Queen was performed (Sept. 8) for the first time. They are now triennial. The second was held in 1874, Oct. 14—17; and the third in 1877, Sept. 19—22, Macfarren's 'Joseph,' first performed on the 21st; conductor, on both occasions, Sir Michael Costa. The proceeds of the festivals go to the hospitals of the Town.

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Appendix p.698:

Add that from 1880 till the present time the festivals have been conducted by Sir Arthur Sullivan, whose 'Martyr of Antioch' was, together with Barnett's 'Building of the Ship,' the chief attraction of that year's festival (Oct. 13–17). In 1883 (Oct. 10–13) the novelties were Raff's 'End of the World,' Macfarren's 'David,' Cellier's 'Gray's Elegy,' and Barnby's 'The Lord is King.' In 1886 (Oct. 13–17), Dvořák's 'St. Ludmila,' Sullivan's 'Golden Legend,' Stanford's 'Revenge,' and Mackenzie's 'Story of Sayid' were the new works, and a splendid performance was given of Bach's B minor Mass.

[ M. ]