"Victorian Era Exhibition, 1897"

(Jan. 29, 1897, Issue 35113, pg. 10 col B)

Sir,— May I, on behalf of music, ask the same liberality as that extended by you to the Duchess of Devonshire, in regard to women's work, and to Sir Henry Irving in reference to the drama, in connection with the Victorian Era Exhibition, which is to be held at Earl's Court in May, and beg, as chairman of the music section, the favour of your space in which to briefly explain what share the illustration of the art will take in this important exhibition?

It should be pointed out that in no other great exhibition has music played so prominent a part as that alloted to it in the forthcoming celebration of the Queen's reign — a period during which the English people have encouraged the art to an extent unprecedented in the history of the United Kingdom.

We, therefore, appeal for the loan of all articles which will help to illustrate this portion of the Exhibition and the Committee will gladly receive such exhibits as portraits of famous composers, singers, impresarios, musical conductors and others connected with this noble art; also autograph letters, photographs, original MSS., scores and libretti; musical instruments of early and late manufacture, as well as models of scenes of operas, operettas, &c., produced during the period of her Majesty's reign, and any other objects which may help to make this section complete in every possible way.

The colossal "Empress Theatre" will be largely devoted to special musical festivals, competitions of choral and orchestral societies, military and wind bands, vocal and instrumental concerted music, soloists, &c., for important prizes, and we cordially invite the co-operation of the various societies throughout the kingdom who have not been communicated with already.

In reference to loan exhibits every possible protection will be afforded in the way of insurance against loss by fire or otherwise, police supervision, &c.

I append the names of the gentlemen who form the honorary committee of the music sections:—

Sir Alexander C. Mackenzie, Mus. Doc. (Principal of the Royal Academy of Music), Vice-Chairman; W. Bendall, Esq., J. F. Bridge, Esq., Mus. Doc., Gresham Professor; C. I. Boosey, Esq., F. H. Cowen, Esq., Hon. R.A.M., F. Cellier, Esq., T. Chappell, Esq., R. M. Cocks, Esq., W. H. Cummings, Esq., F.S.A., Hon. R.A.M. (Principal of the Guildhall School of Music), J. Spencer Curwen, Esq., F.R.A.M. (President Tonic-Sol-Fa College), H. Enoch, Sq., Edward German, Esq., Otto Goldschmidt, Esq., Hon. R.A.M., R.C.O., Arthur G. Hill, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., Arthur Frederick Hill, Esq., Alfred Littleton, Esq., Hamish Maccunn, Esq., Hubert Parry, Esq., Mus. Doc. (Director of the Royal College of Music), Cavaliere Alberto Randegger, Hon. R.A.M., George Rose, Esq. (Messrs. John Broadwood and Sons), C. Villiers Stanford, Esq., Mus. Doc. (Professor of the University of Cambridge), Albert Visetti, Esq., Henry J. Wood, Esq.

All who may be willing to help us in our endeavour to make the music section interesting, educationally valuable, and worthy of the high place
and influence which, at the present day, music holds in our midst, will oblige by communicating with our Hon. Secretary, Mr. Pelluet Delsart, Exhibition-buildings, Earl's-court, London, S.W., from whom also any further information may be obtained.

Yours truly,

                    ARTHUR SULLIVAN,
                   Chairman of the Music Section.

Earl's Court, S.W.