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Music Maestro

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Victorians loved their Music. But ... there were no radios, televisions, tape recorders, record players ... So how did the Victorians 'hear' their music?
Just click on a Victorian to find out how ... and to hear the music they enjoyed.

I'm Lord Simpson. I'm a banker. I work hard. After the day is over there's nothing I like better than a trip to the Ballet or an evening at the concert hall. Such wonderful composers these days.

I'm Violet, I've been cook to Lord and Lady Simpson for 20 years now. I like it when they have a big dinner party ... they invite all their rich friends ... after dinner they allow all the servants upstairs to listen to the musicians. There were a lot of rich people in the cities and they had a lot of servants!! I like the Waltzes and Marches the best.

I'm Cedric, Violet's my Auntie. I work as one of Lord Shaftesbury's pupil teachers at the Ragged School in Lambeth. I don't get paid much, but I can save a little. Every so often I can afford to buy a ticket to the theatre ( to stand at the back) ... I like the Operettas like Orpheus or those by Gilbert & Sullivan. I sing some of the songs to the boys in the school.

I'm Sid, Violet's my Auntie too. I live in the country .. I work for Mr Figgis on his Farm. No theatres or ballrooms where I live. Mr Figgis has got a piano and what's more he can play it. He knows all the old FOLK SONGS... every so often he invites all his farm hands in for a sing-song.

I'm Dolly, Violet's niece. I live in the North. I go to Church every Sunday.. to Sunday School. Everyone goes ... it's expected you know ... Rich or poor, we're always there ... listening to the hymns.