What better way to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee than with famous Royal music? Which is just what the choir of Chester Cathedral will be singing at a celebratory Diamond Jubilee concert at the Cathedral on Saturday 26 May.
The concert begins at 7.30 pm and all the music will be taken from Royal events; the programme includes the famous anthem, ‘Zadok the Priest’ by GF Handel, written for the coronation of George II in 1727, and sung at every British coronation service since.
Another traditional coronation anthem is ‘I was glad’ and unusually two different versions will be sung in this concert; firstly, Henry Purcell’s piece which was written in 1685 for the Coronation of King James II and then CHH Parry’s music, which was written for the coronation of King Edward VII and revised in 1911 for that of King George V, when the familiar introduction was added.
The organ will be heard at its magnificent best in the solo ‘Crown Imperial’ by William Walton; this famous piece was first performed at the coronation of King George VI in 1937.
Other music includes familiar works by Orlando Gibbons, John Rutter and Edward Elgar. In all, a feast of Royal music! The Choir will be directed by Philip Rushforth, the Cathedral’s Director of Music and the organ will be played by Benjamin Chewter.
Tickets: Adults £12.50 pp, Under 16 £7.50 pp, Groups (min. 10) £10.00 pp. Available from the Cathedral Box Office, 01244 500959 or online at www.chestercathedral.com
