Manns retained the position of director of music until his retirement in 1901, undertaking few outside engagements.
At the Crystal Palace he also conducted the triennial Handel Festivals, from 1883.
He took on the 1883 festival at a few hours' notice, when the established conductor, Sir Michael Costa was unwell.
He was at first regarded as less successful as a choral conductor than in the orchestral repertory; his beat was eccentric and puzzling to the uninitiated.
He was, nevertheless, invited to conduct all the subsequent festivals up to and including 1900.
He directed the orchestral concerts of the Glasgow Choral Union for thirteen seasons in succession.
He conducted the promenade concerts at Drury Lane in 1859, and was conductor of the festivals of Sheffield in 1896 and 1899, and Cardiff in 1896.

After 1890 the Crystal Palace concerts declined in importance.
Orchestral music could be heard elsewhere in London, and the old popularity of the palace had died out.
Manns conducted till the season of 1900–01, concluding on 24 April.
In 1998, The Musical Times estimated that he had conducted 12,000 orchestral concerts during his first 42 years at the Crystal Palace.
Manns retained the position of director of music until his retirement in 1901, undertaking few outside engagements. At the Crystal Palace he also conducted the triennial Handel Festivals, from 1883. He took on the 1883 festival at a few hours' notice, when the established conductor, Sir Michael Costa was unwell. He was at first regarded as less successful as a choral conductor than in the orchestral repertory; his beat was eccentric and puzzling to the uninitiated. He was, nevertheless, invited to conduct all the subsequent festivals up to and including 1900. He directed the orchestral concerts of the Glasgow Choral Union for thirteen seasons in succession. He conducted the promenade concerts at Drury Lane in 1859, and was conductor of the festivals of Sheffield in 1896 and 1899, and Cardiff in 1896.
After 1890 the Crystal Palace concerts declined in importance. Orchestral music could be heard elsewhere in London, and the old popularity of the palace had died out. Manns conducted till the season of 1900–01, concluding on 24 April. In 1998, The Musical Times estimated that he had conducted 12,000 orchestral concerts during his first 42 years at the Crystal Palace.
August Manns