A SHORT HISTORY OF THE DOME and ITS ORGANS

The Dome, Brighton was originally built in 1803 as the stables adjoining the Prince Regent's (George IV) oriental extravaganza, The Royal Pavilion. In 1850 the Dome was converted into a concert hall, (see pictures below) which included a 4 manual Father Willis organ of superb quality. Unfortunately, this splendid instrument was taken out and parts used on various church projects when the building was re-designed in 1935. Such a thing would not have happened today, but the whole organ would have been found a good home.

The interior of the Dome prior to 1935, looking from the stage

The interior of the Dome showing the four manual and pedal Father Willis organ installed in 1850

The specification of the Willis organ will be found by clicking on the relevant link opposite

In 1935 the hall was completely re-designed in the then popular "art deco" style and the present Hill, Norman & Beard dual-purpose concert organ installed in 1936. `The organ is a large four manual classical organ, with conventional Great, Swell, Solo and Accompaniment (or Choir, if you like) manuals) and with unified theatre organ ranks playable on all manuals in many different pitches. (Hill, Norman & Beard were the builders of "Christie" cinema organs, and the Dome instrument is often erroneously called a "Christie" which it is not). It was designed by Dr Stanley Roper (Organist of HM Chapel Royal, London), Quentin MacLean (famous cinema organist of the Trocadero, Elephant and Castle), and Brighton Borough Organist at the time, Dr. Alfred Abdey.

The following is a newspaper cutting from an edition of "The Sussex Daily News" published during 1936:

At left is a picture kindly forwarded to me by Graham Holleyman which was published by a local newspaper and shows Quentin MacLean rehearsing  in readiness for his  concert.   The actual opening concert was performed some weeks earlier by the famous organist of Birmingham Town Hall, GD Cunningham.

In the year 2000, an extensive re-structuring of the Dome complex began, and the organ was destined not to be included in the scheme. Thankfully a complete turn around occurred, as local organist Michael Maine gave the Brighton Festival Committee (who now run the Dome) a demonstration of the versatility of the organ which "knocked their socks off".  So in August 2002 the task of re-installing the organ commenced - the diary of this long-running project will be found on the next page.  

The acoustics of the auditorium have been greatly improved which augers well for the organ. The chambers have been re-sited towards the back of the stage, leaving a vast space which can seat a full-sized symphony orchestra and chorus.

BILL SIBBEY,  the  author  of  this  Dome Organ website, at the console during a concert performance prior to the restoration of the instrument

and below

seated at the restored console - more pistons to play with - mid-summer, hence the summer gear!