3-065-912 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Emperor of Russia at the Crystal Palace: the royal party passing up the Nave, 1874. Alexander II on a state visit to England. 'The Emperor, Princesses, and Princes, arriving at six o'clock, were at once conducted up the nave to the Royal boxes prepared for them, upon the stage of the theatre in the central south transept, opposite the Handel orchestra...[The concert included] several well-known compositions of Handel, Mendelssohn, Rossini, and Meyerbeer, performed by 2500 London members of the Handel Festival Choir, with the powerful instrumental bands. The Emperor was greatly pleased, and had Mr. Manns, the conductor, introduced to him...After the concert, the Emperor and their Imperial and Royal Highnesses stood a few minutes on the balcony overlooking the gardens'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.