Founded in 1822 the Royal Academy of Music stands as Britain’s oldest conservatoire. It has a rich history. Its famous alumni are a constant source of inspiration.
The Royal Academy of Music received its royal charter in 1830. King George IV supported it. The first Duke of Wellington also greatly supported the academy’s founding. He wanted to make the academy a success.
Initially the Royal Academy of Music was located in Tenterden Street. In 1911, the academy moved to its current location on Marylebone Road. The new building was custom-built. Sir Ernest George designed it. It included the 450-seat Duke’s Hall.
In 1976, the Royal Academy of Music expanded. It added a new opera theatre. Sir Jack Lyons donated it. It also added two new recital spaces. A recording studio was added. An electronic music studio was built. Additional practice rooms were added. Office space was created.
The Royal Academy of Music further expanded in the late 1990s. It acquired 1-5 York Gate. John Nash designed it in 1822. This housed the new museum. It also housed a musical theatre studio. Several teaching and practice rooms were added. An underground passage was constructed. It linked the main building and 1-5 York Gate. The 150-seat David Josefowitz Recital Hall was built. It is barrel-vaulted. It sits on the courtyard. It connects the mentioned structures.
The Royal Academy of Music offers training from a young age. The Junior Academy trains musicians up to 18. The senior academy awards diplomas. It grants BMus and higher degrees. These go up to PhD/DMus. The academy became a full member of the University of London in 1999. It was the first conservatoire to do so.
The Royal Academy of Music has students from over 50 countries. They follow programs like instrumental performance. They also study conducting. Students can study composition or jazz. Musical theatre is an option. Historical performance is offered. Opera is a popular choice.
The Royal Academy of Music’s library holds over 160000 items. It includes early printed materials. Manuscript materials are available. Audio facilities are provided. The library has archives for Sir Arthur Sullivan. Sir Henry Wood is also represented. The library’s treasures include Purcell’s The Fairy-Queen. Sullivan’s The Mikado is there. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia is included. The newly discovered Handel Gloria is present.
Yehudi Menuhin’s personal archive is at the Royal Academy of Music. It includes sheet music. Correspondence is available. News articles and photographs are preserved. Autograph musical manuscripts are present. Several portraits of Paganini are displayed.
Franz Liszt performed at the Royal Academy of Music in 1886. He celebrated the Franz Liszt Scholarship creation. Mendelssohn became an honorary member in 1843.
Carl Maria von Weber conducted the Royal Academy of Music’s orchestra in 1826. Richard Strauss conducted in 1926.
The Royal Academy of Music’s museum is in the York Gate building. It connects to the academy via a basement link. The museum houses the academy’s collections. It features Cremonese stringed instruments. These instruments date from 1650 to 1740. Historical English pianos are displayed. They date from 1790 to 1850. Original manuscripts are available. They are from Purcell, Mendelssohn and Liszt. Brahms is represented. Sullivan and Vaughan Williams are featured. Musical memorabilia is exhibited.
Notable alumni include Henry Wood and Simon Rattle. Brian Ferneyhough is an alumnus. Elton John attended. Annie Lennox is a graduate.
The Royal Academy of Music continues to shape musical talent. It honors its past. It embraces the future. It remains a beacon of musical excellence.