Gounod accepted an invitation from the organising committee of the Annual International Exhibition to write a choral piece for its grand opening at the Royal Albert Hall on 1 May 1871. As a result of its favourable reception he was appointed director of the new Royal Albert Hall Choral Society, which, with Queen Victoria's approval, was subsequently renamed the Royal Choral Society. He also conducted orchestral concerts for the Philharmonic Society and at the Crystal Palace, St James's Hall and other venues. Proponents of English music complained that Gounod neglected native composers in his concerts, but his own music was popular and widely praised. The music critic of "The Times", J. W. Davison, rarely pleased by modern music, was not an admirer, but Henry Chorley of "The Athenaeum" was an enthusiastic supporter, and writers in "The Musical World", "The Standard", "The Pall Mall Gazette" and "The Morning Post" called Gounod a great composer.