Malcolm Arnold

Peterloo

Peterloo is the derisive name given to an incident that happened on16th August 1819 in St Peter's Fields, Manchester, when an orderly crowd of some 80,000 people met to hear a speech on political reform. On the orders of the magistrates they were interrupted by the Yeomanry, who attempted to seize the banners they carried, and to arrest their speaker, Henry Hunt. Cavalry was sent in, and eleven people were killed and four hundred injured in the ensuing panic. This overture attempts to portray these happenings. Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section. Duration 10 minutes.