ABSTRACT
The origins of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) can be traced back to the work of visionary nineteenth-century local businessmen. Such was their ambition that within the first decade of the Liverpool Philharmonic Society's (LPS) establishment they had created a permanent purpose-built venue for their performances. Exploring the creation and inauguration of the John Cunningham-designed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in August 1849 reveals a great deal about opportunities and constraints, both local and national, in relation to music-making and its profitability. Borne of industrialisation, Liverpool's large-scale music festivals, generally held in the first week in October, took place in 1794, 1799, and 1805; there was an inevitably lean period during the French wars, followed by a resurfacing in 1817. The new Hall confirmed the level of aspiration within the Society for its future. It also demonstrates clearly and collectively the type of individual involved with the LPS as subscribers.
