Jules Rivière

A Woodburtype portrait in carte-de-visite format showing the conductor Jules Prudence Rivière (1819-1900), who was for many years the musical director at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

When he died in 1900, the following obituary appeared in the Lancashire Evening Post (27 December 1900): 'Jules Riviere, the famous conductor, died at Colwyn Bay, North Wales, on Wednesday. He was born in France in 1819, and made his musical reputation there, but settled in England about 40 years ago, and was a musical director at Covent-Garden, Cremorne, the Adelphi and the Alhambra, London, afterwards at Manchester, Blackpool, Llandudno, and Colwyn Bay. During one of his seasons at the Winter Garden, Blackpool, he introduced Madame Sarah Bernhardt to the town. M. Riviere was eighty-one years of age. His career was a remarkable one. He passed through terrible experiences during the revolution of 1830, and three years later, leaving Paris, he obtained a situation as a cow boy, and went about work with a shepherd's crook in one hand and a violin in the other, continuing to attain great proficiency as an instrumentalist. He became the chief d'ochestre of a leading band in Paris, and in the year 1857 he had his first triumph. On the occasion of the Prince Imperial's birthday he gave what was described as the grandest concert ever held in the French capital. The Emperor and Empress were present, together with distinguished members of the Court, and their Majesties were so delighted that they presented M. Riviere with a signet ring in commemoration of the event. He wore the Imperial gift to the day of his death.'

Photographer unidentified.

According to information printed verso, the portrait was 'Presented by M. RIVIERE, Musical Director, to each Visitor, on the occasion of his Benefit, SATURDAY, SEPT. 17th' at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool during the season of 1881.