Britain's First Black Musical Superstar

Watch musicians and historians bring to life a recently rediscovered work by one of Victorian Britain’s most celebrated musical figures.

In 2022, the Royal College of Music uncovered an extraordinary treasure: a previously unknown composition by Samuel Coleridge Taylor, one of the College’s earliest students and a groundbreaking Black composer of the late Victorian and Edwardian era.

Forgotten since the 1930s, Nourmahal’s Song was identified by Assistant Librarian Jonathan Frank, whose meticulous research returned this forgotten music to the public eye.

In this special session, audiences will hear a recording of the rediscovered work—alongside new recordings of other works by Coleridge Taylor—performed by two of today's leading musicians.

These performances will be accompanied by reflections from the musicians on how Coleridge Taylor’s legacy continues to inspire their own artistry. Frank will also tell the story of his remarkable discovery, offering a rare glimpse into the detective-like process of unearthing hidden musical histories.

This event is part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival on 6-7 June 2026.

Please arrive at the venue 10 minutes before the start time. Your ticket gives you priority access, however, as this is a free event we overbook to help ensure a full event and your space may be reallocated. Early arrival reduces this risk.

Great Exhibition Road Festival

6-7 June 2026

South Kensington’s annual celebration of science and the arts returns this summer with a weekend of free events for all ages.

Enjoy hands-on workshops, fascinating talks, performances and installations from iconic museums, research and culture organisations in South Kensington, including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, the Royal Parks, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and many more!

Find out more about the Festival and see the full programme on the Festival website at www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk.

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