Gounod always admired English choral singing, and his famous oratorios, The Redemption and Mors et Vita, were both written for Birmingham Festivals. I was present at the rehearsal of The Redemption at St. George's Hall, Langham Place, when Madame Albani, Madame Patey, Edward Lloyd, and Charles Santley were among the singers. Gounod conducted it himself, most splendidly.