The Festival Te Deum is the popular name for an 1872 composition by Arthur Sullivan, written to celebrate the recovery of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales from typhoid fever. The prince's father, Prince Albert, had died of typhoid fever in 1861, and so the prince's recovery was especial cause for celebration.
Prince Edward, c. 1870
Thérèse Tietjens, the original soprano soloist
Sullivan, c. 1870
Victoria visits Edward during his illness.
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan was an English composer. He is best known for 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. His works include 24 operas, 11 major orchestral works, ten choral works and oratorios, two ballets, incidental music to several plays, and numerous church pieces, songs, and piano and chamber pieces. His hymns and songs include "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and "The Lost Chord".
Arthur Sullivan in 1888
As Chapel Royal chorister
Sullivan aged 16, in his Royal Academy of Music uniform
Poster: scenes from The Sorcerer, H.M.S. Pinafore and Trial by Jury