Interior of the Royal Albert Hall.

Exterior of the Royal Albert Hall.

The Royal Albert Hall is an arts venue situated in the Knightsbridge area of the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941. The arts is a broad subdivision of Culture, composed of many expressive disciplines. Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of Central London. The City of Westminster ( is a borough of London with city status. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily Orchestral

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, recognisable the world over. Since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world's leading artists from every kind of performance genre have appeared on its stage. Each year it hosts more than 350 performances including classical concerts, rock and pop, ballet and opera, tennis, award ceremonies, school and community events, charity performances and lavish banquets.

The Hall was originally supposed to have been called The Central Hall of Arts and Sciences, but the name was changed by Queen Victoria to Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences when laying the foundation stone as a dedication to her husband and consort, Prince Albert. A prince consort, generally speaking is a common term for the husband of a Queen regnant, unless he himself also is a king in his own right It forms the practical part of a national memorial to the Prince Consort - the decorative part is the Albert Memorial directly to the north in Kensington Gardens, now separated from the Hall by the heavy traffic along Kensington Gore. A prince consort, generally speaking is a common term for the husband of a Queen regnant, unless he himself also is a king in his own right The Albert Memorial is situated in Kensington Gardens, London, England, directly to the north of the Royal Albert Hall. See also Kensington Gardens South Australia, a suburb of Adelaide, Australia Kensington Gardens, once the private gardens of Kensington Kensington Gore is a street in central London, England, the same name having been formerly used for the piece of land on which it stands The Hall also accommodates the second largest pipe organ in the UK (Liverpool Cathedral regains the title with the addition of the Central organ), and is the home of The Proms. The Grand Organ situated in the Royal Albert Hall in London, is the second largest Pipe organ in the UK. Liverpool Cathedral is the Anglican Cathedral of Liverpool England, built on St The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily Orchestral

As the best known building within the cultural complex known as Albertopolis, the Hall is commonly and erroneously thought to lie within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Albertopolis is a nickname for the area centered around South Kensington, London, England, between Cromwell Road and Kensington The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea ( (often abbreviated to RBKC) is a London borough in the west side of Central London. The Hall is actually within the area of the City of Westminster. The City of Westminster ( is a borough of London with city status. The site was part of the former Kensington Gore estate which was historically part of Knightsbridge. Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of Central London.

Introduction

The opening ceremony on March 29, 1871

Since its opening by Queen Victoria on March 29, 1871 the Royal Albert Hall has played host to a multitude of different events and legendary figures and has been affectionately titled 'The Nation's Village Hall'. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common On May 1, 1871, Arthur Sullivan's cantata, On Shore and Sea played at the hall. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan MVO (13 May 1842 &ndash 22 November 1900 was an English composer of Irish and Italian descent best known for his operatic A cantata (derived from the Italian word 'cantare' meaning 'to sing' is a vocal composition with an instrumental Accompaniment and often On Shore and Sea is a "dramatic Cantata " composed by Arthur Sullivan, with words by Tom Taylor. ^[1]

As well as hosting the Proms every summer since they were bombed out of the Queen's Hall in 1941, the Hall has been used for classical and rock concerts, conferences, ballroom dancing, poetry recitals, education, ballet, opera and even circus shows. The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily Orchestral Queen's Hall was a classical music Concert hall in Central London, England, opened in 1893 and was beloved by Londoners until its It has hosted many sporting events, including boxing, wrestling (including the first Sumo wrestling tournament ever to be held outside Japan) and tennis. is a competitive Contact sport where two Wrestlers ( rikishi) attempt to force one another out of a circular ring ( Dohyo) or to touch the ground For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. It also hosts the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, held the day before Remembrance Sunday. In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday of November the Sunday nearest to 11 November ( Remembrance Day) which is the anniversary

The Triumph of Arts and Sciences

The hall, a Grade I listed building,^[2] is oval in shape, measuring 83 m (272 feet) by 72 m (238 ft) around the outside, and has a capacity of 8,000 people and has accommodated as many as 9,000 (although modern safety restrictions mean that the maximum permitted capacity is now 5,544 including standing in the Gallery). A listed building in the United Kingdom is a building or other structure officially designated as being of special architectural historical or cultural significance The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The great glass and wrought-iron dome roofing the hall is 41 m (135 ft) high. A dome is a common structural element of Architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a Sphere.

Around the outside of the hall is a great mosaic frieze, depicting "The Triumph of Arts and Sciences", in reference to the Hall's dedication. Art History Mosaics of the 4th century BC are found in the Macedonian palace-city of Aegae, and they enriched the floors of Hellenistic Proceeding anti-clockwise from the north side the sixteen subjects of the frieze are: (1) Various Countries of the World bringing in their Offerings to the Exhibition of 1851; (2) Music; (3) Sculpture; (4) Painting; (5) Princes, Art Patrons and Artists; (6) Workers in Stone; (7) Workers in Wood and Brick; (8) Architecture; (9) The Infancy of the Arts and Sciences; (10) Agriculture; (11) Horticulture and Land Surveying; (12) Astronomy and Navigation; (13) A Group of Philosophers, Sages and Students; (14) Engineering; (15) The Mechanical Powers; and (16) Pottery and Glassmaking.

More of The Triumph of Arts and Sciences, showing Peterborough Cathedral

Above the frieze is an inscription in one-foot high terracotta letters. Peterborough Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter St Paul and St Andrew, is the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough, is dedicated to Saint Peter Terra cotta ( Italian: "baked earth" is a Ceramic. Its uses include vessels water & waste water pipes and surface embellishment in Building construction This combines historical fact and Biblical quotations: "This hall was erected for the advancement of the arts and sciences and works of industry of all nations in fulfilment of the intention of Albert Prince Consort. The site was purchased with the proceeds of the Great Exhibition of the year MDCCCLI. The first stone of the Hall was laid by Her Majesty Queen Victoria on the twentieth day of May MDCCCLXVII and it was opened by Her Majesty the Twenty Ninth of March in the year MDCCCLXXI. Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty. For all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine. The wise and their works are in the hand of God. Glory be to God on high and on earth peace. "

History

The first ever performance at the Royal Albert Hall, March 29, 1871

In 1851 the Great Exhibition was held in Hyde Park, London, for which the so-called Crystal Palace was built. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Great Exhibition, also known as Crystal Palace, was an international exhibition that was held in Hyde Park, London, England, from 1 Hyde Park is one of the largest Parks in central London, England and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and Glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the The exhibition was a great success and led Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, to propose that a permanent series of facilities be built in the area for the enlightenment of the public. Progress on the scheme was slow and in 1861 Prince Albert died, without having seen his ideas come to fruition. However, a memorial was proposed for Hyde Park, with a Great Hall opposite. The proposal was approved and the site was purchased with some of the profits from the Exhibition. Once the remaining funds had been raised, in April 1867 Queen Victoria signed the Royal Charter of the The Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences which was to operate the Hall and on 20 May, laid the foundation stone. A Royal Charter is a Charter granted by the Sovereign on the advice of the Privy council to legitimize an incorporated body such as a city company Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held

The Hall was designed by Captain Francis Fowke and Major-General Henry Y. Francis Fowke ( 7 July 1823 - 4 December 1865) was a British Engineer and Architect, and a Captain in the D. Scott of the Royal Engineers and built by Lucas Brothers. The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers ( RE) and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps Lucas Brothers was a leading British Building business based in London. ^[3] The designers were heavily influenced by ancient amphitheatres, but had also been exposed to the ideas of Gottfried Semper while he was working at the South Kensington Museum. Gottfried Semper ( November 29 1803 - May 15 1879) was a German Architect, Art critic, and professor of The Victoria and Albert Museum (often abbreviated as the V&A) in London is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design housing a permanent collection The recently-opened Cirque d'Hiver in Paris was seen in the contemporary press as the design to outdo. Since 1852 the Cirque d'hiver (the "Winter Circus" at the juncture of the rue des Filles Calvaires and rue Amelot Paris 11ème, has been a The Hall was constructed mainly of Fareham Red brick, with terra cotta block decoration made by Gibbs and Canning Ltd. Fareham red brick is a famous red-tinged clay Brick, from Fareham, Hampshire. Terra cotta ( Italian: "baked earth" is a Ceramic. Its uses include vessels water & waste water pipes and surface embellishment in Building construction of Tamworth. The dome (designed by Rowland Mason Ordish) on top was made of steel and glazed. Rowland Mason Ordish ( 11 April 1824 -1886 was an English Engineer. There was a trial assembly made of the steel framework of the dome in Manchester, then it was taken apart again and transported down to London via horse and cart. When the time came for the supporting structure to be removed from the dome after re-assembly in situ, only volunteers remained on site in case the structure dropped. It did drop - but only by five-eighths of an inch! The Hall was scheduled to be completed by Christmas Day 1870 and the Queen visited a few days beforehand to inspect. She was reported as saying "It looks like the British Constitution".

Postcard of the Royal Albert Hall (circa 1903) with an inset of the Albert Memorial

The official opening ceremony of the Royal Albert Hall was on 29 March 1871. The Albert Memorial is situated in Kensington Gardens, London, England, directly to the north of the Royal Albert Hall. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common After a welcoming speech by Edward, the Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria was too overcome to speak, so the Prince had to announce that "The Queen declares this Hall is now open". A concert followed, when the Hall's acoustic problems became immediately apparent. These were not properly tackled until 1969 when a series of large fibreglass acoustic diffusing discs (commonly referred to as "mushrooms" or "flying saucers") were installed in the roof to cut down the notorious echo. It used to be said that the hall was the only place where a British composer could be sure of hearing his work twice.

Initially lit by gas (when thousands of gas jets were lit by a special system within 10 seconds), full electric lighting was installed in 1897. Gas lighting refers to a technology used to produce light from gas usually methane but also including hydrogen and ethylene A lamp is a replaceable component such as an Incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce Light from Electricity. During an earlier trial when a partial installation was made, one disgruntled patron wrote to The Times newspaper declaring it to be " a very ghastly and unpleasant innovation". The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register.

In 1936, the Hall was the scene of a giant rally celebrating the British Empire, the occasion being the centenary of Joseph Chamberlain's birth. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. Joseph Chamberlain ( 8 July 1836 &ndash 2 July 1914) was an influential British businessman politician and statesman

A 1986 photo of the Albert Hall looking north and west. This shows the small South Porch replaced during the 2000 refurbishment.

The Hall has more recently undergone a rolling programme (1996 - 2004) of renovation and development to enable it to meet the demands of the next century of events and performances. Thirty "discrete projects" were undertaken by BDP without disrupting events ^[4]. Building Design Partnership (BDP is a firm of Architects and engineers employing over 800 staff in the UK and over 140 more internationally Although the exterior of the building is largely unchanged, the south steps leading down to Prince Consort Road were demolished to allow reconstruction of the original underground vehicle access to take modern vehicles. The steps were then reconstructed around a new south porch on the same scale and in the same style as the three pre-existing porches: these works were undertaken by Taylor Woodrow Construction^[5]. Taylor Woodrow Holdings Limited is one of the largest British based housebuilding and general construction companies

The works included a major rebuilding of the great organ, originally built by "Father" Henry Willis, subsequently rebuilt by Harrison & Harrison and most recently rebuilt by Mander Organs; The organ is now again the second largest pipe organ in the British Isles with 9,999 pipes (Liverpool Cathedral has 10,268). The Grand Organ situated in the Royal Albert Hall in London, is the second largest Pipe organ in the UK. Henry Willis & Sons is a firm of Pipe organ builders founded in 1845 in the UK, examples of whose work can also be found in other countries Harrison & Harrison are a firm of Pipe organ builders in the UK, examples of whose work can also be found in many other countries Mander Organs is an English Pipe organ maker and refurbisher based in London. The pipe organ is a Musical instrument that produces sound when pressurized air (wind is driven through a series of pipes, controlled by a keyboard

Now the hall is used primarily as a live events venue — it has featured bands such as The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend Led Zeppelin were Graduation ceremonies for students for Imperial College are also held in the hall. Imperial College London (officially The Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine as given in its Royal Charter It is one of only three universities to have reached In addition to these events, it is possible to take guided tours of the interior of the hall

Famous concerts

The Hall has also been used for concerts by a wide range of popular artistes: Listed in chronological order with name of artist and date of concert

• The Proms - founded by Sir Henry Wood - now the world's largest festival of Western classical music - have been held in the hall every summer since 1941 (after the original venue, The Queen's Hall in Langham Place was destroyed by a bomb). The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily Orchestral WikipediaWikiProject Classical music#Biographical_infoboxes --> Sir Henry Joseph Wood, CH ( 3 March 1869 Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Last Night of the Proms is broadcast in several countries.
• Hiawatha seasons (Samuel Coleridge-Taylor) 1928 - 1940 conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent
• Lebanese diva Fairuz performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 1962. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (15 August 1875 &ndash 1 September 1912 was an English composer who achieved such success he was called the "African Mahler " WikipediaWikiProject Classical music#Biographical_infoboxes -->Sir Harold Malcolm Watts Sargent (29 April 1895 &ndash 3 October 1967 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Fairuz ( فيروز, also spelled Fairouz or Fayrouz) (born November 21, 1935) is a distinguished Lebanese singer Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• 15 September 1963 The Beatles and The Rolling Stones performed on the same bill for the only time. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960
• 1966, Bob Dylan performs. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major
• 6 April 1968: 13th Eurovision Song Contest. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Katie Boyle introduced entries from 17 countries. Catherine "Katie" Boyle (born Caterina Irene Elena Maria Imperiali Di Francavilla on 29 May 1926) is a Television presenter, well known Spain won with "La la la" performed by Massiel. María de los Ángeles Felisa Santamaría Espinosa ( b August 2 1947, Madrid, Spain) professionally known as Massiel, is She finished one vote ahead of the UK entry, "Congratulations" by Cliff Richard. " Congratulations " is a Song written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter as the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1968 Sir Cliff Richard, OBE, (born Harry Roger Webb on 14 October 1940 is an English Singer, Actor and Businessman.
• 30 October 1968, Tiny Tim performs. Events 637 - Antioch surrenders to the Muslim forces under Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of Iron bridge. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Herbert Khaury ( April 12 1932 &ndash November 30 1996) better known by the Stage name Tiny Tim, was an American
• 26 November 1968: Cream farewell show. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus" Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Cream were a 1960s British rock band
• 24 September 1969 - Deep Purple recorded & performed a Concerto for Group and Orchestra: Concerto for Group and Orchestra (restaged 25/26 September 1999)
• On 26 October 1969, Petula Clark performed in a concert celebrating her 30th anniversary in show business. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertfordshire in 1968 The Concerto for Group and Orchestra is a Concerto performed by Deep Purple and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Petula Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932 is an English singer actress and Composer best known for her upbeat popular international hits The concert was filmed and aired as the first program ever broadcast in colour by the BBC on Clark's 37th birthday, 15 November 1969. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• 1969 – 1988 - Miss World beauty pageants
• 1969 - Pink Floyd performed at the Albert Hall and received a life-time ban for setting two cannons off during their show. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Pink Floyd are
• Jimi Hendrix performed on 18 and 24 February 1969 with The Jimi Hendrix Experience featuring Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell
• Janis Joplin performed on 21 April 1969 with her Kozmic Blues Band. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. "The Experience" redirects here For other uses of this term see Experience (disambiguation. David "Noel" Redding ( December 25, 1945 &ndash May 11, 2003) was an English Rock and roll guitarist best John "Mitch" Mitchell (born 9 July, 1947 in Ealing, Middlesex) is an English Drummer, most famous for his involvement Janis Lyn Joplin ( January 19, 1943  – October 4, 1970) was an American singer songwriter and music arranger from Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• Led Zeppelin performed on 9 January 1970, footage of which was filmed for a planned documentary. Led Zeppelin were Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Though no documentary was ever made due to the poor quality of the film, the material was re-mastered over thirty years later and virtually the entire show was released on the Led Zeppelin DVD
• Joni Mitchell and James Taylor performed a concert on October 28, 1970 for Radio BBC containing a number of solo songs and duets with the two. Led Zeppelin is a double DVD set by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7 1943) is a Canadian Musician, Songwriter, and James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American Singer-songwriter and Guitarist, born in Boston, Massachusetts This was around the time when Mitchell and Taylor are said to have been romantically linked. Bootleg copies of the concert still circulate today.
• Lata Mangeshkar, the greatest of Indian singers, performed her first concert abroad in 1974. Lata Mangeshkar (लता मंगेशकर born September 28, 1929) لتا منگیشکر is a singer from India.
• Renowned Indian singer Talat Mahmood performed in 1979. Talat Mahmood ( February 24, 1924 – May 9, 1998) was a popular Indian playback singer and film actor The second Indian to have been given the opportunity.
• September 1976 - 6th Festival of Evangelical Choirs under the auspices of the London Emmanuel Choir. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Triennial festival of Christian music, with massed choirs of 1000 voices plus 5000 in the congregation. Released on Pilgrim record label.
• ABBA ended their 1977 European tour at the Hall with two sold-out concerts. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Tickets for the concerts were available only by mail application and it was later revealed that the box-office received, astonishingly, 3. 5 million requests for tickets. Reportedly, the concerts were partially filmed for ABBA: The Movie, but the footage was eventually not included in the final version of the film and to this day remains unreleased. ABBA The Movie is a feature length Film about the pop group ABBA 's 1977 Australian tour
• Dusty Springfield performed her last full-scale concert in Britain at Royal Albert Hall in 1979. Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien OBE ( 16 April, 1939 &ndash 2 March, 1999) professionally known as Dusty Springfield Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar)
• Siouxsie & the Banshees recorded double live album and video Nocturne at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 30 September and 1 October 1983, This was the first Banshees album on their own Wonderland label, Released in November 1983. Siouxsie & the Banshees were a British rock band which formed in 1976
• The Everly Brothers had two famous reunion concerts, ten years after they broke up, on September 22-23, 1983. The Everly Brothers ( Don Everly, born Isaac Donald Everly February 1 1937 Brownie Muhlenberg County, Kentucky The concerts were filmed and released on CD and DVD.

Clannad leaving the stage after performing at the venue in 1989. Clannad are a Grammy Award -winning Irish musical group, from Gweedore ( Gaoth Dobhair) County Donegal. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)

• Asia Music Awards 1989
• Genesis performed a concert from their We Can't Dance Tour here in November 16th 1992. Genesis are an English rock band formed in 1967 With approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar)
• Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert in 1995. Les Misérables - The Dream Cast in Concert aka Les Misérables in Concert is a concert version of the musical Les Misérables, Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995
• Sarah Brightman: With special guests, Andrea Bocelli and Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1997
• Music for Montserrat on 15 September 1997 - Phil Collins, Carl Perkins, Jimmy Buffett, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and more. Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960 is an English classical crossover Soprano, actress songwriter and dancer
• Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration - A tribute to Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber for his 50th birthday in 1998. Andrew Lloyd Webber Baron Lloyd-Webber (born 22 March 1948 is a British Composer of Musical theatre, the elder son of William Lloyd Webber
• Ocean Colour Scene headlined on Monday 17th February 1997 , with Paul Weller and Oasis as support. Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are an English Britpop band from Birmingham. Oasis are an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991
• The Corrs at 1998's St. Patrick's Day
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo on 22 April 1999, recorded live
• Chris de Burgh on December, 2000. The Corrs are a Celtic Folk rock group from Dundalk, County Louth Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day (Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig) colloquially St Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal style of Isicathamiya and mbube. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Chris de Burgh (born Christopher John Davison on 15 October 1948 is a half Irish musician and songwriter who holds British nationality. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.
• The Who recorded a DVD and double live album Live at the Royal Albert Hall in 2000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust in a concert featuring their greatest hits. The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend Live at the Royal Albert Hall is a three-CD Live album set by The Who, released in 2003 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that focuses on the needs of Teenagers and young adults with Cancer, Leukaemia, Hodgkin’s and related diseases by providing
• Julian Lloyd Webber gives his 50th Birthday Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in aid of the Prince's Trust on June 1st 2001. Julian Lloyd Webber (born April 14 1951) is one of the world's most renowned solo cellists The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ( RPO) is a British Orchestra based in London. The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded by the Prince of Wales to help young people
• On 10 October 2001, Robbie Williams performed and recorded special concert with songs from the Swing When You're Winning album, as a tribute to Frank Sinatra
• Australian Pink Floyd Show is the first and only Pink Floyd tribute band to play at The Royal Albert Hall on November 26th 2001
• The string quartet bond debuted their first album Born on 20 September 2001
• Morrissey played two consecutive nights at the Royal Albert Hall, in September 2002. Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Robert Peter Maximilian Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer Swing When You're Winning is a Traditional pop Album by English pop singer Robbie Williams, released in 2001 Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12 1915 &ndash May 14 1998 was an American singer and actor The Australian Pink Floyd Show (aka TAPFS) are a Tribute band of Pink Floyd. Bond (often typeset as bond in deference to the owners of the 007 Born is the first Album released by the classical crossover String quartet Bond. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Steven Patrick Morrissey (ˈmɒɹɪsiː born May 22, 1959) known primarily as Morrissey, is a British Singer and Lyricist All of the tickets were sold within three hours.
• 29 November 2002: The Concert for George (Harrison). Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first
• Pakistani rock band Junoon performed live at Royal Albert Hall, 18 June 2003. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.
• 1 April 2005: Siti Nurhaliza held a successful solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dato' Siti Nurhaliza binti Tarudin DIMP JSM SAP PMP AAP (born January 11, 1979) is a multiple-award winning Malaysian pop The "Asia's Celine Dion" was the first Asian pop singer to have a solo performance there.
• 2, 3, 5 and 6 May 2005: Cream reunion concert. Cream were a 1960s British rock band
• The Cure Played a 3 hour concert, 1 April 2006. The Cure are an English rock band that formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976
• David Gilmour 29-31st May 2006. David Jon Gilmour CBE (born 6 March 1946 is an English Musician, best known as the Lead guitarist one of the lead Singers These shows were filmed for the release of the DVD "Remember That Night". Remember That Night is a live concert recording of Pink Floyd Guitarist David Gilmour 's solo concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in
• Meat Loaf used the Royal Albert Hall to launch the third installment of the Bat out of Hell series of albums, with a sold out concert, the only UK date of the year, on 16 October 2006. Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27 1947 better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, is an American rock Musician Bat out of Hell III The Monster Is Loose is an album by Meat Loaf; the third and last in the Bat out of Hell series Bat out of Hell is a 1977 album by singer Meat Loaf, songwriter Jim Steinman, and producer Todd Rundgren that became one of the best-selling
• Noel Gallagher 26 & 27th March 2007, played two sold out shows in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Noel Thomas David Gallagher (born 29 May 1967 in Manchester, England is the lead guitarist backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Oasis Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that focuses on the needs of Teenagers and young adults with Cancer, Leukaemia, Hodgkin’s and related diseases by providing
• Pakistani music sensation Atif Aslam performed at Royal Albert Hall, 14 April 2007. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Atif Aslam ( عاطف اسلم, born March 12, 1983) is a Pakistani pop singer Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Largest number of audience attended since 1997's concert Music for Montserrat. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar
• Darren Hayes 3 October 2007, the finale of the UK leg of the Time Machine Tour, stage design by Willie Williams (lighting designer)
• Muse played a show on April 12th, 2008 for the Teenage Cancer Trust event. Darren Stanley Hayes (born May 8, 1972) is an Australian Singer-songwriter. Willie Williams (born 1959) is a video director stage and Lighting designer for Concerts Theatre, & Multimedia projects Muse are Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that focuses on the needs of Teenagers and young adults with Cancer, Leukaemia, Hodgkin’s and related diseases by providing Matthew Bellamy utilized the Organ for Megalomania, which was played for the first time in six years, and the first time ever it had been played on a pipe organ in concert. Matthew James Bellamy (born 9 June, 1978) is the main Songwriter and Lead vocalist, Guitarist and Pianist in The Grand Organ situated in the Royal Albert Hall in London, is the second largest Pipe organ in the UK.
• Katie Melua 4 May 2008
• Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov 19 May 2008, accompanied by an international ensemble of renowned musicians performed a concert dedicated to the memory of musician, poet and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy
• The world famous circus,Cirque du Soleil,has staged many of its shows that are touring Europe in the Royal Albert Hall. Boris Grebenshchikov (Бори́с Гребенщико́в also known as Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov, is one of the most prominent members of the generation which is widely Sri Chinmoy Kumar Ghose ( August 27, 1931 &ndash October 11, 2007) was an Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher who emigrated to Cirque du Soleil (French for "Circus of the Sun" in English sɜrk duː soʊˈleɪ is an entertainment company

A famous and widely bootlegged concert by Bob Dylan at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester on 17 May 1966 was mistakenly labeled the "Royal Albert Hall Concert. Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major The Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England, was for many years a focal point for public debate and cultural activity in the city " In 1998 Columbia Records released an official recording, The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The "Royal Albert Hall" Concert, that maintains the erroneous title, but does include details of the actual concert location. Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company The Bootleg Series Vol 4 Bob Dylan Live 1966 The "Royal Albert Hall" Concert is a live recording from Bob Dylan 's legendary "world tour" Dylan actually did close his European tour on 26 and 27 May and of that year; these were his last concerts before Dylan got into a motorcycle accident and became a recluse for a brief period of time.

Another concert that was mislabeled as being at the Royal Albert Hall was by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated CCR) was an American Rock and roll band who gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with An album by CCR titled The Royal Albert Hall Concert was released in 1980. When it was discovered that the show on the album actually took place at the Oakland Coliseum, Fantasy Records retitled the album The Concert'. Recording artists David Axelrod The Blackbyrds Dave Brubeck Lenny Bruce

Depictions in popular culture

• It was prominently featured in the climax of Alfred Hitchcock's 1934 film The Man Who Knew Too Much (and the 1956 remake, also directed by Hitchcock). Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (13 } The Man Who Knew Too Much is a 1934 suspense Film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released by Gaumont British. The Man Who Knew Too Much ( 1956) is a suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart and Doris Day. The remake features composer Bernard Herrmann conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Arthur Benjamin's Storm Clouds cantata. Bernard Herrmann ( June 29, 1911 &ndash December 24, 1975) was an American composer noted for his work in Motion pictures. The London Symphony Orchestra ( LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. For the mathematician see Arthur T Benjamin Arthur Leslie Benjamin (18 September 1893 Sydney &ndash 10 April 1960 London
• A key scene in The IPCRESS File takes place on the outside stairs. The Ipcress File is a 1965 film adaptation of Len Deighton 's 1962 novel The IPCRESS File.
• It is referenced in the Beatles' song "A Day in the Life": Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 "A Day in the Life" is a song by the British rock band The Beatles, written by John Lennon with the middle eight by Paul McCartney
• Also referenced in the Beatles' movie Yellow Submarine (1968) by Jeremy Hilary Boob regarding the number of holes in the Sea of Holes. Yellow Submarine is a 1968 animated Feature film based on the music of The Beatles. Jeremy Hilary Boob PhD is a Fictional character in the Animated movie Yellow Submarine (1968 He says "Enough to fill the Albert Hall. "
• The Hall was featured in a shot in The X-Files: Fight the Future, during a scene set in London. The X-Files is a 1998 Science fiction film based on the television series of the same name.
• One version of the lewd song "Hitler Has Only Got One Ball" places the dictator's missing testicle "in the Albert Hall". "Hitler has only got one ball" refers to the many variations on a set of lyrics to the popular " Colonel Bogey March " The testicle (from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis, meaning "witness" virility plural testes) is the male
• Paul Jennings' illustrated children's book The Great Jelly of London published in 1967 is a fictional account of the hall being used as the world's largest jelly mould. Paul Francis Jennings ( June 20, 1918 - December 26, 1989) was a British humorist
• BHARATA RATNA M. S. Subbulakshmi, one of the greatest Classical Singers of India, presented a concert in 1982.
• It featured in the final scenes of the film Brassed Off, providing the setting for the brass band competition that is won by the Grimley Colliery Band. Brassed Off is a 1996 Black comedy British film written and directed by Mark Herman.
• It is shown several times in the 2006 Woody Allen film Scoop, with Scarlett Johansson. Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; December 1 1935 is an American Film director, Writer, Actor, Comedian, and Scoop is a 2006 Romantic comedy / Murder mystery written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson Scarlett I Johansson (born November 22 1984 is an actress and Singer, of dual American and Danish citizenship
• Focused on in a 1984 episode of the UK-based cartoon DangerMouse, entitled "Tiptoe through the Penfolds". DangerMouse is a British Animated television series which was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television. This is an episode guide for the children's Animated television series DangerMouse, made by Cosgrove Hall and first shown
• Features in the Spice Girls' feature film Spiceworld. The Spice Girls are a BRIT Award -winning English pop Girl group formed in 1994 Spice World is a debut feature film of the four-time BRIT Award -winning English pop Girl group The Spice Girls directed
• It is featured in the 2006 film The Prestige as the stage where Nikola Tesla demonstrates his alternating current at a science fair. The Prestige is a 2006 period film directed by Christopher Nolan, with a screenplay adapted from Christopher Priest 's 1995 There have already been discussions about Tesla's ethnicity on the talk page An alternating current ( AC) is an Electric current whose direction reverses cyclically as opposed to Direct current, whose direction remains constant
• It is featured on the labels of The Society's Exhibition Range of wines from The Wine Society. These wines were launched in 1999 to celebrate the 125th anniversary for the founding of The Society following the 4th International Exhibition held at the Hall.

References

See also

• Albert Memorial
• Albertopolis
• List of concert halls
• Sir Malcolm Sargent
• Sir Henry Wood
• Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

External links

• Official site with timeline
• Royal Albert Hall in the Structurae database
• Royal Albert Hall Survey of London entry
• Albert Hall (Victorian London)
• Royal Engineers Museum Royal Engineers and the Royal Albert Hall
• Ballet at the Royal Albert Hall