Halifax Choral Society, Records (HCS)
c1819 - 1992
From Strength to Strength
Programme for "The Spectre's Bride" 6th Nov 1891
The founder of the Society was William Priestley, an eminent local musician, antiquary and literary gentleman. Dining at home at Crow Trees, Lightcliffe in 1817, with his musical friends, Priestley discussed setting up a permanent choir to replace the gatherings of singers that had been presenting concerts in the district for many years.
The first performance of the newly formed “Halifax Quarterly Choral Society”, later to become the Halifax Choral Society, took place on 9 February 1818 in the Halifax Court House, and was a performance of Haydn’s "The Creation". He could hardly have foreseen that the Society would still be going strong in the Third Millenium, renowned for its high standards and imaginative programming.
Throughout its history, the choir has played a prominent part in the musical and social life of Halifax, contributing to the many civic and national celebrations which typified Imperial Britain. Its numbers exceeded 200 by the turn of the 19th century and the Society was much in demand for such prestigious events as the Leeds Triennial Festival. By 1901 the choir had a permanent home in the new Victoria Hall (now the Victoria Theatre), built very much with the Society in mind.
The first performance of the newly formed “Halifax Quarterly Choral Society”, later to become the Halifax Choral Society, took place on 9 February 1818 in the Halifax Court House, and was a performance of Haydn’s "The Creation". He could hardly have foreseen that the Society would still be going strong in the Third Millenium, renowned for its high standards and imaginative programming.
Throughout its history, the choir has played a prominent part in the musical and social life of Halifax, contributing to the many civic and national celebrations which typified Imperial Britain. Its numbers exceeded 200 by the turn of the 19th century and the Society was much in demand for such prestigious events as the Leeds Triennial Festival. By 1901 the choir had a permanent home in the new Victoria Hall (now the Victoria Theatre), built very much with the Society in mind.
Rule book of the Society 1886
The collection was deposited in 1994-1995 and comprises 31 boxes, including minutes 1859-1981; correspondence 1903-1960; financial records 1910-1963; scores c1819-c1880; scrapbooks 1826-1924; programmes 1889-1964 and newspaper cuttings 1859-1992.
Research into the scores in 2000 revealed a Mozart attribution of an apparently unique three volume manuscript of the Handel oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus” and led to world-wide interest. The score had come into the hands of William Priestley and it was performed by the Choral Society several times in the early-mid 19th century. After Priestley presented it to the Choir in 1850 it was largely forgotten about until 2000. On 23 Jun 2002 the first modern-age performance of the “lost” arrangement was performed at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, televised in the United Kingdom and America.
The minute books and annual reports are a mine of information about the history of the Society, Halifax and its inhabitants. View the collection on our online catalogue.
Research into the scores in 2000 revealed a Mozart attribution of an apparently unique three volume manuscript of the Handel oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus” and led to world-wide interest. The score had come into the hands of William Priestley and it was performed by the Choral Society several times in the early-mid 19th century. After Priestley presented it to the Choir in 1850 it was largely forgotten about until 2000. On 23 Jun 2002 the first modern-age performance of the “lost” arrangement was performed at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, televised in the United Kingdom and America.
The minute books and annual reports are a mine of information about the history of the Society, Halifax and its inhabitants. View the collection on our online catalogue.
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