Covers the period dating from Purcell to Elgar, which is traditionally seen as a dark age in British musical history. This book concentrates specifically on musical life in the provinces, bringing together archival research and offering a fresh perspective on British music of the period. 'The chronological presentation does allow the reader to develop a sense of the ways in which other historical developments influence music, such as the growth of the train system, as well as gain a sense of the fluctuations in popularity and success of musical activities over time.' NABMSA Newsletter