ABSTRACT
The First World War was to prove as much of a watershed in British musical affairs as it did in so many other walks of life. Wealth, class, social deprivation, work, entertainment, all of these and much else besides underwent change as a result of those four turbulent years. But briefly returning to the company's first two years (1906–08), Ibbs and Tillett had stiff competition from such firms as Daniel Mayer (established in January 1890 at Chatham House, George St, Hanover Square and manager of Erard's piano showrooms in Great Marlborough Street), H. Bernhardt's Philharmonic Concert Direction (Regent Street), Schultz-Curtius (Regent Street), Leslie Hibberd (17 Hanover Square), Ethel L. Robinson (7 Wigmore Street), Chappell's (50 Bond Street), E.A. Michell with Philip Ashbrooke (7a Piccadilly Mansions), Hugo Gölitz (119 New Bond Street), L.G. Sharpe (established in December 1900 at 61 Regent Street), T. Arthur Russell Concert Direction (established 1905 at 13 Sackville Street), Carl Junkermann (122 Regent Street), Clairfeilds Operatic & Concert Direction (1 Langham Place), Lionel Powell, and William Sewell. The names of Fernando Vert (Narciso's brother) and Pedro Tillett (his nephew) were also present among these competitors for a few more years, the former as a partner in Vert and Sinkins, the latter as head of N.Vert.
