Holywell Music Room

The Holywell Music Room, which is part of Wadham College, Oxford, was one of the earliest purpose built concert venues in the world and the first in Europe. Prior to the advent of concert halls, recitals would happen at private aristocratic venues, royal courts, or in churches. It was built in 1748, probably under the direction of William Hayes and it was designed by Dr Thomas Camplin, the vice-principal of St Edmund Hall. The venue was important for popularizing the music of Haydn in 18th century England. He was the most frequently performed composer during 1788–1791; at short notice he was unable to attend a planned visit to the venue while in Oxford in 1791. By 1836, the building was…

The building cost £1,263 and 10s, equivalent to approximately £2.5 million in 2018, and included chandeliers that had previously been hung in Westminster Hall for the Coronation of George IV and were subsequently donated to Wadham College. The building was funded by public subscription. The auditorium seats 200, includes an organ, which likely dates from the 1800s and originated in Holland. The room is the venue for a wide variety of music performances.