| Main Performers | Madame Nellie Melba,
Sir Charles Santley,
Signor Caruso,
Signor Sammarco,
Madame Donalda,
Mr Ben Davies,
Mme Maria Gay,
Mr John McCormack,
Miss Edna Thornton - vocals,
Mr Efrem Zimbalis - violin,
Mr A Fransella - flute |
| Secondary Performers | Signor Tosti,
Signor Baraldi,
Mr Hamilton Harty,
Mr Landon Ronald - accompanists |
| Orchestra or Band | Royal Amateur Orchestral Society |
| Set List | Entrance of the Prince and Princess of Wales,
Entrance and greeting of the King and Queen and Princess Victoria (Lord Farquhar, Lady Farquhar),
Reception of the Royal Party (Lord Pembroke, Mr E W Wallington CMG, Mr Hilton Carter),
'National Anthem',
Overture 'The Meistersinger', Wagner (Royal Amateur Orchestral Society),
'Othello', Fanstasia for violin (Ernst, Mr Efrem Zimbalist),
Song - 'My Heart is Weary', Goring-Thomas (Miss Edna Thornton),
'Cavatina' from Barbiere, Rossini (Signor Sammarco),
'Jewel Song' from Faust, Gounod (Mme. Donalda),
'Aria for Violoncello', Bach (M. Hollman),
'Recititative and Aria' from Jephtha, Handel (Mr Ben Davies),
Suite - 'L'Arlesienne', Bizet (Royal Amateur Orchestral Society),
Song - 'Maid of Atheus', Gounod (Sir Charles Santley) ENCORE,
'To Athea', Halton,
Song - 'Lo! Here the Gentle Lark', Bishop (Mme Melba, Mr A Fransella),
'Arioso' from Paglicacci, Leoncavallo (Signor Caruso),
'La Mia Canzone', Tosti (Signor Caruso),
'Habanera' from Carmen, Bizet (Mme Maria Gay),
Song - 'Ah Moon of My Delight' from Persian Garden, Liza Lehmann (Mr John McCormack),
'Quartetto' from Rigoletto, Verdi (Mme Melba, Miss Thronton, Signor Caruso, Signor Sammarco),
'March' from Tannhauser, Wagner (Royal Amateur Orchestral Society) |
| Royal Presence | HM King Edward VII,
HM Queen Alexandra,
HRH The Prince of Wales,
HRH The Princess of Wales,
HRH The Princess Victoria,
HRH The Princess Christain,
HRH The Princess Hnery of Battenberg,
HRH The Princess Royal,
HRH The Duke of Fife,
HRH The Princess Alexandra,
HRH The Princess Maud,
HRH The Prince Alexander of Teck,
HRH The Princess Alexander of Teck |
| Performance Notes | Gala event to celebrate the workers of the League of Mercy.
The Times (1 June 1908) reported that,
'The hall was decorated with hangings of pale green and crushed strawberry. Flanking the two Royal boxes, of which the King's was directly facing the platform, that of the Prince of Wales being rather to the left, were little floral pyramids, with trailers of smilax and crimson rambler roses, and flowers in the shape of crowns were decoarted with festoons of the same materials. In the King's box was placed a bouquet of white and mauve orchids for her Majesty, and the Princess of Wales was presented with a bouquet of Malmaison carnations...
...A rather unfortunate incident occurred early in the programme necessitating the delay of a quarter of an hour. The piano was found to be of too high a pitch and had to be removed bodily. However, the utmost good humour prevailed, and the efforts of a small posse of police who were called in evoked laughter and some cheers.'
The Princess of Wales wore a cream gown with a pale heliotrope hat. The King wore a pink carnation button-hole. The Queen wore a gown of the palest mauve, with a toque of the same hue and a white boa.
The King and Queen summoned Mme. Melba, Sir Charles Santley, Signor Caruso and Signor Sammarco to the Royal box and personally thanked them for their services. |
| Related Archival Material | Ticket (RAHE/8/5/1908/1) |