Opened 1748 | Phone +44 1865 276125 | |
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Address Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SD, UK Similar Sheldonian Theatre, Bate Collection of Musica, Bodleian Library, Bridge of Sighs, Radcliffe Camera | ||
Gibbons at the holywell music room oxford
The Holywell Music Room is the city of Oxford's chamber music hall, situated on Holywell Street in the city centre, within the grounds of Wadham College. It is said to be the oldest purpose-built music room in Europe, and hence Britain's first concert hall.
It was built in 1748, designed by Dr Thomas Camplin, the vice-principal of St Edmund Hall. The venue was important for popularizing the music of Haydn in 18th century England. He was the most frequently performed composer during 1788-1791; at short notice he was unable to attend a planned visit to the venue while in Oxford in 1791. The auditorium includes an organ and U-shaped raked seating.
The building was Grade II* listed in 1954.
References
Holywell Music Room Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA