Under the auspices of the society, the first performance in England of the St Matthew Passion took place at the Hanover Square Rooms on 6 April 1854, Sterndale Bennett conducting.
Street, Charlotte Sainton-Dolby, Dianelli, and Freeman; the principal male vocalists were Allen, Walworth, W. Bolton, and Signor Ferrari.
Mr. W. Thomas was principal violin, Mr. Grattan Cooke first oboe, and Edward John Hopkins was at the organ, the new instrument by Gray and Davison being used on this occasion for the first time.
Another performance was given in 1862, coinciding with the publication of Bennett's own edition of the work, with a translation of the text into English by his pupil Helen Johnston.
Three years later, on 13 June 1861, the Society gave the first performance in England of the Christmas Oratorio also under Sterndale Bennett's direction.