150 Years of Culture and Arts: Happy Birthday Royal Albert Hall (1841 - Present)

Royal Albert Hall turns 150 years old this year. Looking back at the History of the Hall, it has welcomed stars, pioneers, visionaries, and when London is spoken about, the Royal Albert Hall is usually mentioned in the same breath.

The Royal Albert Hall’s iconic mosaic frieze titled ‘The Triumph of Arts and Letters’ encircles the building measuring 800 feet long and 5,200 square feet. It is made up of foot-long slabs of mosaic tesserae that depict human accomplishments throughout history and its roof was designed by structural engineers Ordish & Grover. The Hall’s Architect, Major-General Scott RE consulted a team of experts, including those who had built the roofs of St Pancras and Charing Cross Stations in London to create the historic roofing.

From its inception, it has welcomed key figures from every generation. At its inaugural ceremony, HRH The Prince of Wales declared the Hall officially open on behalf of his mother HM Queen Victoria, who was present but too overcome with emotion to speak as she was reminded of her late husband, Prince Albert, who had died a decade earlier, never having seen the Hall named in his honor. The Hall was at the front line of the Stuffroget movement in England from 1858 to 1928. Sir Winston Churchill spoke there over 15 times, delivering memorable speeches, and while en route to his safe haven in New York, Albert Einstein led the ‘Einstein Meeting’ at the Hall in 1933 for the Council for British Charity: Assisting Refugee Academics.

The Royal Albert Hall has been at the forefront of many moments in the UK’s history, and 2020 has been no different. During the Global Pandemic, the Royal Albert Hall put on exclusive lockdown sessions in hopes to raise money for RAH during the Covid -19 crisis. They have so far raised £550k out of £900k to start a major ventilation project to enhance the RAH’s air quality.

The Royal Albert Hall has been at the forefront of British History, and that of British History-making, and that is why we are so proud to be partnered with them. We invite you to help keep this important institution alive by donating at https://tickets.royalalberthall.com/support/donate