Queen Victoria and Music

[ardcarp]

Did anyone watch this programme shown (or maybe re-shown) yesterday?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00052ds/queen-victoria-my-musical-britain

Lucie Worsley's presentation avoided the worst of BBC silliness and gave, I thought, a considered and informed account of the importance of music in the life of Victoria and Albert. It also showed what an influence they had on the musical life of Britain. I personally did not know, for instance, that Victoria had had a private 'command' performance of Lohengrin at Windsor in later life.

Wagner’s Lohengrin was her choice for a command performance at Windsor in 1899, just 18 months before she died. Listening to its almost unbearably bittersweet prelude of strings, you can’t help but suspect her choice gives an insight into the lonely heart of an elderly queen who was also very human.


Mrs A. and I really enjoyed the programme.

A Times review here:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lucy-worsley-on-queen-victoria-my-musical-britain-hfxncg6rg

[oddoneout]

It was a re-showing, I saw it a few weeks ago and found it interesting.

[LMcD]

During a visit to Balmoral Castle a couple of years ago, we learned that it hosted a Royal Command Performance of 'The Mikado' in 1891.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

During a visit to Balmoral Castle a couple of years ago, we learned that it hosted a Royal Command Performance of 'The Mikado' in 1891.

I didn't know about that - but she famously ordered a performance of The Gondoliers at Windsor Castle in the Spring of that year.

https://gsarchive.net/books/walbrook/chap14.html

... and, apparently, was amused; even by "And one of us will be a queen". Sir Arthur Sullivan (one of the queen's favourites) was invited to conduct the performance, but Mr William Gilbert was left out of the invitation.

[ardcarp]

Yes, Lucy missed out on G&S.

I was surprised at how musically literate (if dull and uninspired!) Prince Albert was, as evidenced by the manuscript books of his own songs in his own hand.

[MickyD]

Does anyone recall going to 'An Evening with Queen Victoria' in the 80s? It was a delightful experience, with Prunella Scales reading from Queen Victoria's letters, interspersed with Richard Burnett (of Finchcocks) playing pieces on a fortepiano. It was also recorded for Argo, but I wonder if it ever made it to CD.

[makropulos]

Does anyone recall going to 'An Evening with Queen Victoria' in the 80s? It was a delightful experience, with Prunella Scales reading from Queen Victoria's letters, interspersed with Richard Burnett (of Finchcocks) playing pieces on a fortepiano. It was also recorded for Argo, but I wonder if it ever made it to CD.

Yes indeed. I saw it at the Lyric Hammersmith and I think Ian Partridge sang as well as Prunella Scales reading from the diaries. A delightful evening.
Meanwhile, I thoroughly enjoyed Lucy W's programme (which I missed on its first outing), though it was surprising to see G&S left out. Still, the Wagner performance was news to me too, and there was some other interesting stuff in there too.

[Jonathan]

IIRC, Prince Albert's brother Ernst was an enthusiastic amateur composer. Liszt conducted an opera of his while he was working at Weimar and wrote several works based on pieces by him too.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Still, the Wagner performance was news to me too,

Apparently Wagner was a fan of hers, too:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/oct/09/a-to-z-of-wagner-q-is-for-queen-victoria

[makropulos]

Apparently Wagner was a fan of hers, too:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/mu...queen-victoria

Thanks for that. Fascinating.

[Stanfordian]

Did anyone watch this programme shown (or maybe re-shown) yesterday?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00052ds/queen-victoria-my-musical-britain

Lucie Worsley's presentation avoided the worst of BBC silliness and gave, I thought, a considered and informed account of the importance of music in the life of Victoria and Albert. It also showed what an influence they had on the musical life of Britain. I personally did not know, for instance, that Victoria had had a private 'command' performance of Lohengrin at Windsor in later life.

Wagner’s Lohengrin was her choice for a command performance at Windsor in 1899, just 18 months before she died. Listening to its almost unbearably bittersweet prelude of strings, you can’t help but suspect her choice gives an insight into the lonely heart of an elderly queen who was also very human.


Mrs A. and I really enjoyed the programme.

A Times review here:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/l...tain-hfxncg6rg

Not seen it yet. So it wasn't all about Lucy Worsley? Surely she was dressing up in period costumes?

[BBMmk2]

Not seen it yet. So it wasn't all about Lucy Worsley? Surely she was dressing up in period costumes?

Not as far as I remember.