At half past 11, Lord Leigh, the President of the Festival, took his seat in the front gallery opposite the conductor; at the same moment, the solo singers came in and took their seats. These were followed by Costa, who was received on this as on every other occasion on his entrance into the Hall during the four days, with warm applause by the performers as well as by the audience. After bowing repeatedly to both parties, he lifted the baton; when, in an instant, all was hushed; and Madame Castellan led off (in the key of B flat) with God save the Queen. The whole audience instantly rose, and remained standing during the three stanzas, the second of which was by the solo voices in F, and the third by the whole band and chorus in the original key.