Rutland Boughton, c1923

Rutland Boughton (1878-1960), a pupil of Stanford at the Royal College of Music in London, first became known as a composer of orchestral and choral music. But opera was his real love and in 1914 he established the first of his Glastonbury Festivals in order to provide a platform not only for his own operas but for any music that accorded with his artistic ideals. The Festivals continued with increasing success and sophistication until 1926, by which time he had mounted over 300 staged performances and 100 chamber music concerts, besides related lectures, exhibitions, and a series of innovative summer schools. In 1922 his opera The Immortal Hour was produced in London where it enjoyed a phenomenal success, setting a still unbroken world record for the longest continuous run of any opera. It was followed by notable London productions of Bethlehem and Alkestis. After Glastonbury, Boughton took up residence in Gloucestershire to complete the cycle of five Arthurian music dramas he had begun in 1908, and to hold further festivals at Stroud (1934) and Bath (1935). It is only in recent years that the true measure of his originality and importance has begun once more to be appreciated.

The Rutland Boughton Trust (registered charity No 27601/ACL) exists to promote the music of Rutland Boughton by encouraging live performances and sponsoring recordings. Three such recordings are currently available, all on Hyperion: the operas The Immortal Hour on Hyperion CDA66101/2, and Bethlehem (CDA66690); and Symphony No 3 and Oboe Concerto No 1 (CDA66343). Other recordings are planned as and when funds become available.

For further information about the composer and the Trust please write to: Ian Boughton MIAM, Administrator, The Rutland Boughton Music Trust, 25 Bearton Green, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1UN, England, tel 01462 434318, Mobile: 07703 584152 The Rutland Boughton Music Trust