John Ella

In 1826, on the completion of his musical education under Thomas Attwood, and subsequently under François-Joseph Fétis in Paris, that he took his place as a member of major orchestras of London, such as the Philharmonic and the Ancient Concerts.

By the formation of an aristocratic committee, and by making the concerts in some measure social gatherings, for which membership could only be obtained by personal introduction, he secured for his scheme a high prestige.

The programme always contained at least two concerted instrumental works and the executants were generally artists of established position, many of whom had not appeared before in England.

The artists played in the middle of the room, with the audience surrounding them, and programmes were printed and sent out to the subscribers a few days before the concert.

In 1858 both sets of concerts were transferred to Hanover Square Rooms, and in the following year to the newly opened St James's Hall.

For the last twenty years of his life he lived at 9 Victoria Square, London, where he died on 2 October 1888, after repeated attacks of paralysis.

A Personal Memoir of Meyerbeer, with Analysis of "Les Huguenots" is Ella's other important contribution to musical literature.