Leader, Leonard Hirsch
Conducted by Clifton Helliwell
Arnold Goldsborough (organ)
Ambroise Thomas , although known almost wholly now by Mignon, was the composer of at least twenty operas and full-sized ballets which enjoyed great popularity in the second half of last century. In his own day, indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that he was easily the most popular of composers for the Paris stage.
The latter part of his life, however, was spent in teaching, as the principal of the famous Paris Conservatoire-a post which he held for twenty-five years.
It was the success of his opera
Hamlet, following on Mignon, which won him that distinction, and to Mignon he owed the reward of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, which was given him on the occasion of its thousandth performance.