Review by Choice Review
Musgrave (Univ. of London) portrays the musical life of the Crystal Palace in London as a microcosm of Victorian musical culture and gives the reader for the first time a sense of its true importance as a focal point for musical performance. His research covers all 80 years of the building's existence, from Victorian times until it burned down in 1936. He describes the origins of the building, including its apparent unsuitability for musical performance. Then follows a detailed examination of the vast Handel Festivals instituted by Michael Costa in 1857 and involving George Grove and members of choral societies throughout England. Discussion of the weekly concert series includes appraisal of the performers, programs, and their middle-class audience. Finally the book discusses other musical activities, such as courses for ladies taught by Ebenezer Prout, John Stainer, and others. This scholarly monograph should interest both musicians and cultural historians. General and academic readers; upper-division undergraduates and above. J. Girdham; Saginaw Valley State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
