Diocesan News03 Sep 15

Successful French Tour for St Anne’s Cathedral Choir

Members of the St Anne’s Cathedral Choir pose for photographs near the Eiffel Tower during their tour of France.

An impromptu recital outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, was one of the many highlights of the St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, Choir Tour to France.  The tour, in early August, began in the small town of Poligny with a concert in Collegiale Saint–Hippolyte, as part of the 600th anniversary of the church.

Travel delays meant the choir arrived literally as the concert was scheduled to start, their only rehearsal was on the grass verge at a motorway service station en route! The programme included the ‘Vierne Messe Solennelle’, ‘Dupre O salutaris’, the ‘Parson’s Ave Maria’ and a few old favourites, such as Sumsion’s ‘They that go down to the sea in ships’, the ‘Rutter Gaelic Blessing’, and finished with Parry’s ‘I was glad’.

The audience gave the choir a standing ovation at the end. The Dean, the Very Rev John Mann said: ‘Rarely can I remember such a level of joyful, unbounded appreciation of the choir’s singing.’  The collection of €1,500 was kindly donated towards the work of the choir and its tour, and the concert was followed by a reception.

The following day the choir travelled to Paris arriving at 5pm. Disappointed that Notre Dame was already closed, the choir found a piano on the bridge leading to the island site of Notre Dame, and gave an impromptu rendition of Parry’s ‘I was glad’ at full volume, entertaining passing tourists!

‘It was simply marvellous, great fun and hugely effective on a hot, sunny summer’s evening,’ said the Dean.  At Notre Dame itself the choir performed again; this time singing ‘View me Lord’ by Thomas Campion in front of the great west facade

After a day at EuroDisney, day four of the tour saw a concert in the Church of St Sulpice – the church that featured in the Da Vinci Code. The unaccompanied lunchtime concert opened with Taverner followed by Purcell’s ‘Hear my Prayer’, the ‘Parson’s Ave Maria’ and finally the Bairstow ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silence’.

The Choir sings inside the Church of St Madeleine in Paris.

Later the group headed to scale the Eiffel Tower. The final concert was at the Church of St Madeleine in Paris. Here the choir was well received and gave its most technically polished performance.

Dean Mann said: ‘That, alone, gives us encouragement, as so often a combination of tiredness and seeing the finishing line ahead can spoil what should be the climax to a project. St Anne’s Choir, made of stern stuff, pulled out all the stops – to use a musical metaphor – and saved their best until last.’

Master of the Choristers David Stevens said: ‘The tour was an excellent example of the talent and professionalism of the singers in the Cathedral’s choirs. Not only did they cope with many hours of travelling, but they were able to perform well on little rehearsal, and in sometimes less–than–favourable conditions.’

David added: ‘As well as the performing, it has been a great chance for the singers to bond socially, which can only benefit our music–making.’

Choir tour members in Paris.

For further information contact Karen Bushby, Press Officer, St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on 07766 103880 or email [email protected]