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Julia Boyd commissioned to write a history of Wigmore Hall

Julia Boyd, Wigmore Hall Trustee and Sunday Times best-selling author was commissioned to write a comprehensive history of Wigmore Hall over 18 months ago.

A final publication date is yet to be set but Julia Boyd reports that she has already completed several chapters of the book. As well as chronicling the history of the Hall over the past 120 years and its position in London’s musical life, it will also celebrate the extraordinary diversity of artists, performance practices and repertoire across twelve decades.

The idea for the new book came from Director John Gilhooly and Julia Boyd accepted the commission instantly.

Julia Boyd says:

“I am currently writing a history of Wigmore Hall – an utterly absorbing project that has me completely hooked. There are so many delights and surprises to uncover, not least the extent to which the Hall has always embraced diversity. Artists from many different ethnic backgrounds have consistently thrilled Wigmore audiences down the years in a tradition that will always be fundamental to the Hall’s ethos. The story of Wigmore Hall is one rich in achievement, emotion and discovery. But above all, it reminds us of the power of music to do good in the world.”

In Wigmore Hall’s 120th anniversary year we are delighted to announce the news of this upcoming history. More details on the publication dates will follow.

Julia Boyd worked at the Victoria and Albert Museum before accompanying her diplomat husband on various foreign postings. She has published a number of books including Hannah Riddell: An Englishwoman in Japan, A Dance with the Dragon: the Vanished World of Peking's Foreign Colony and most recently the Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for History 2018 and the Sunday Times best-selling book, Travellers in the Third Reich: The Rise of Fascism Through the Eyes of Everyday People.