Berlioz in London
Westminster Abbey
The origins of the Abbey, which is the resting-place of Britain’s monarchs and the setting for coronations and other great pageants, can be traced to the 13th century. Over centuries parts of it have been rebuilt or added to. The two towers on either side of the main entrance, which have made the Abbey a recognisable edifice, were built in the mid-18th century.
In June 1851 Berlioz attended there a Purcell Commemoration, an annual event. In the second Epilogue of his Les Soirées de l’Orchestre, Berlioz recounts his impression of this event thus:
"I witnessed in Westminster Abbey the Purcell Commemoration. A small chorus of mediocre voices was singing, to the accompaniment of the organ, hymns, anthems, and motets by this old English master. A small and devout audience was present at the ceremony. It was cold, stagnant, lethargic, and slow. I was trying hard to feel admiration, but could only experience the opposite feeling. Memories of the chorus of children in St Paul’s Cathedral then suddenly flooded back; I formulated mentally a damaging comparison and walked out, leaving Purcell to doze off with his faithful."
All the modern photos reproduced on this page were taken by
Michel Austin; other pictures have been scanned from engravings in our own collection.
© Monir Tayeb and Michel Austin.
All rights of reproduction reserved.
Westminster Abbey in 1851
Westminster Abbey in the 19th century
© 2002-2008 Michel Austin and Monir Tayeb for all the pictures and information on this page.
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