It begins in the latter years of the 19th century with the concert and theatrical manager Narciso Vert, for whom both Ibbs and Tillett worked until his death in 1905. The story then becomes a history of musical life in twentieth-century Britain, illuminating aspects of the day-to-day management of concerts and festivals.

Contents: Preface; N. Vert: 'a veritable Napoleon of managers'; An American venture and the death of Vert: 1902-5; Memoirs of Pedro Tillett; The first year: 1906; Clara Butt's Australian tour:1907; Artists and auditionees: 1906-12; Artists and auditionees: 1912-14; Concerts and festivals: 1910-14; Artists and auditionees: 1914-18; Agencies and artists: 1918-23; Artists and auditionees: 1920-29; Letters from artists: 1920-29; Letters from conductors: 1930-39; Letters from pianists: 1930-39; Letters from instrumentalists, singers and composers: 1930-39; Artists and auditionees: 1930-39; The politics of music: 1930-39; A conductor in 1933; Concerts, artists and auditionees: 1940-49; Agency changes: 1940-49; Kathleen Ferrier; Artists and agents: 1950-59; The winds of change: 1960-69; End of an era: 1970-82; The final decade: 1980-90; Appendices; Select bibliography; General index.