150 Years Of The RoyalAlbert Hall
We celebrate a milestone for a cherished beacon of the arts which has hosted stars from Bob Dylan to the Dalai Lama
Queen Victoria laid the first stone at the Hall – a slab of red Aberdeen granite – in May, 1867. It was such an important occasion for the city and country that the Archbishop of Canterbury gave a benediction and there was a 21-gun salute.
When the Hall opened in 1871 it instantly became one of the most prestigious music venues in the world, quickly
attracting the likes of
Richard Wagner and Hans Richter, and its reputation has held strong for 150 years.
Queen Elizabeth II, great-great granddaughter of Victoria, is current patron of the Hall and very proud of her family’s connection. “Albert was a man of extraordinary vision and ingenuity. Together with Queen Victoria, he shared his passion for the global arts, education and culture with the nation,” she has said.
Craig Hassall, the venue’s chief executive says, 150 years on, the hall remains more than a music venue. It’s an important part of Britain’s history and heritage.
“Since its opening, this extraordinary venue has borne witness to, and played a central part in, seismic cultural and social change.
“The interests, manners and social mores of the people may have changed, but this beautiful building and what it represents remains the same a centuryand-a-half later: a meeting place, a reflection of contemporary Britain, and a home for exhilarating live performance and events of international significance.”
The stone laid by Queen Victoria II has actually remained in place and can be seen under seat 87, row 11 in the Stalls section K!