The echoes of the [Norfolk and Norwich Musical] festival proceedings penetrated 
even the thick walls of my school classrooms. For the worthy principal of Opie 
House School (so named after the gifted Norwich painter, John Opie, who had 
once occupied the red-bricked dwelling which still stands opposite St. Clement's 
Church) was a highly respected member of the festival chorus. He owned a capital 
bass voice, and was a first-rate musician. What is more, he knew a good singer 
when he heard one. It was his delight to describe to us how superbly Sims Reeves 
had sung "Deeper and deeper still"; with what thrilling expression Mlle. Tietjens
had phrased "I know that my Redeemer liveth"; how inimitable Mme. Sainton-Dolby 
had been in "He was despised"; and what a remarkable voice he had heard in the 
bass solos of the "Messiah" that of the famous Weiss, who composed the music of 
"The Village Blacksmith."