| Main Performers | Madame Emma Albani,
Madame Adelina Patey,
Mr Edward Lloyd,
Mr Santley - vocals
Dr Stainer - organ |
| Choirs | Royal Albert Hall Choral Society (Royal Choral Society) (800 voices) |
| Set List | 'God Save the Queen' (The National Anthem),
'Mors et Vita', Gounod |
| Royal Presence | HM Queen Victoria,
HRH Prince Henry of Battenberg,
HRH Princess Henry of Battenberg,
HRH The Duke of Connaught,
HRH The Duchess of Connaught,
HRH The Princess Louise,
HRH Prince of Leningen,
HRH Princess of Leningen,
HRH Prince Christian,
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh |
| Performance Notes | "A beautiful day, 10 degrees of frost-out with Beatrice after breakfast - had an early luncheon and left for London. Went to the Albert Hall where Lenchen [Princess Helena, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein], Arthur [Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught], Louischen [Princess Louise of Prussia, Duchess of Connaught], and Louise [Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne, later Duchess of Argyll] met us. The Hall was completely full, over 7,000 people, who cheered me most enthusiastically. Gounod's "Mors et Vita", somewhat shortened, was given. It was realy splendid. Albani, Santley and Mme Patey sang beautifully. I was again immensely cheered when I left. Got back before dinner."
(Queen Victoria's diary, 26 February 1886)
"The announcement that Her Majesty the Queen would attend a special morning performance of Gounod's Mors er Vita on Friday last, attracted nearly ten thousand visitors to the Royal Albert Hall. Her Majesty was loyally cheered by the crowds who occupied the approaches to the hall."
(The Observer, 28 February 1886)
The event was attended by Lady Granville, the Turkish Ambassador, the American Minister, Lord Suffield, the Countess of Derby and the Countess Rosse. |
| Related Archival Material | Handbill (RAHE/6/1886/1),
Illustration (London Illustrated News) |