Latest news with #ChichesterPsalms
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Leonard Bernstein honoured by plaque for his Chichester Psalms
A plaque is to be unveiled in a West Sussex cathedral to honour one of the greatest composers of the 20th Century. Leonard Bernstein, who wrote the music for West Side Story, was commissioned to score the choral Chichester Psalms by the former Dean of Chichester, Walter Hussey, in 60th anniversary is being marked on Saturday by a special performance of the work in the presence of Bernstein's son Dame Patricia Routledge, a Chichester resident who worked with the composer, said it was "a timely recognition of the worldwide significance of this beautiful work". She said: "Chichester Psalms continues to resonate across generations, and it is only fitting that its legacy is honoured here, where it all began."The plaque has been organised by Bernstein in Chichester, the organisation that brought his legacy to Chichester in 2018 with a festival of events throughout the city in celebration of the composer's 100th American composer and conductor died in 1990 aged a film biography about his life, was Oscar nominated in 2024. Saturday's milestone coincides with the cathedral's 950th anniversary – a year-long celebration of its history and Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler, The Dean of Chichester, said: "This plaque will serve as a lasting tribute to one of the most cherished musical connections in our history. "This moment will not only honour Leonard Bernstein's extraordinary legacy but also reaffirms the ongoing contribution of Chichester Cathedral to the choral tradition."
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Edinburgh Festival highlights to include theatre premiere starring Brian Cox
This year's Edinburgh International Festival offers a wide range of performances across multiples genres. Featuring more than 1,700 artists from 42 countries, including 600 from Scotland, the festival line-up has something for fans of all sectors of the arts. Highlights include a world premiere of theatre production Make it Happen, based on Scotland's role in the 2008 financial crisis. It stars Brian Cox and Sandy Grierson, and was written by renowned playwright James Graham. A ballet telling the story of Mary, Queen of Scots will also feature, with choreography by Sophie Laplane which blends classicism with modernity. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, a renowned assortment of singers from around the country, which will perform the festival's opening concert as well as Vaughan Williams's Sea Symphony, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and Mendelssohn's Elijah. The Big Singalong will take place from the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, and will be free to attend. It will be led by Stephen Deazley, Edinburgh's Love Music Community Choir director. Norwegian folk group Barokksolistene will return to the festival to lead The Ceilidh Sessions, an afternoon of music and storytelling inspired by Gaelic ceilidhs. There are more Polish artists at this year's festival than ever before, including a concert by the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra, and a showcase of artists from the Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble. Key operatic works include a staged Australian reimagining of Gluck's Orpheus And Eurydice, and the UK premiere of Book Of Mountains And Seas by Chinese composer Huang Ruo. For the first time, a dementia-friendly concert will feature at the festival. The performance by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in association with Alzheimer Scotland aims to allow those who have dementia to enjoy a performance in a relaxed and flexible environment. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'The Edinburgh International Festival has stood as a global celebration of the performing arts and their power to bridge cultural and national differences since 1947. 'That role is as relevant as ever, so I very much welcome the festival's commitment to affordability and accessibility in this year's programme. 'The international festival is where it all began for Edinburgh's festivals, so whether you are coming from near or far, I encourage everyone to enjoy the best of what Scotland and the world has to offer, across the genres of classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre and visual art. 'The Scottish Government's Expo fund is designed to help showcase Scottish artists and our festivals to the world, and I'm very proud to continue that support with £80,000 for this year's international festival.' Dana MacLeod, Creative Scotland's executive director of arts, communities and inclusion, said: 'Congratulations to the international festival team for this imaginative programme, which brings important conversations by world-leading artists and extraordinary creative experiences for audiences to the capital city. 'Borne out of a belief in the power of the arts to connect and provide hope in a divided world, the international festival's original ethos remains true today, with international and homegrown talent presenting stimulating work, reflecting and celebrating the world we inhabit. 'A long-time supporter, Creative Scotland is happy to have been able to confirm a funding commitment to the international festival for the next three years.'
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Edinburgh Festival highlights to include theatre premiere starring Brian Cox
This year's Edinburgh International Festival offers a wide range of performances across multiples genres. Featuring more than 1,700 artists from 42 countries, including 600 from Scotland, the festival line-up has something for fans of all sectors of the arts. Highlights include a world premiere of theatre production Make it Happen, based on Scotland's role in the 2008 financial crisis. It stars Brian Cox and Sandy Grierson, and was written by renowned playwright James Graham. A ballet telling the story of Mary, Queen of Scots will also feature, with choreography by Sophie Laplane which blends classicism with modernity. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, a renowned assortment of singers from around the country, which will perform the festival's opening concert as well as Vaughan Williams's Sea Symphony, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and Mendelssohn's Elijah. The Big Singalong will take place from the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, and will be free to attend. It will be led by Stephen Deazley, Edinburgh's Love Music Community Choir director. Norwegian folk group Barokksolistene will return to the festival to lead The Ceilidh Sessions, an afternoon of music and storytelling inspired by Gaelic ceilidhs. There are more Polish artists at this year's festival than ever before, including a concert by the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra, and a showcase of artists from the Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble. Key operatic works include a staged Australian reimagining of Gluck's Orpheus And Eurydice, and the UK premiere of Book Of Mountains And Seas by Chinese composer Huang Ruo. For the first time, a dementia-friendly concert will feature at the festival. The performance by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in association with Alzheimer Scotland aims to allow those who have dementia to enjoy a performance in a relaxed and flexible environment. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'The Edinburgh International Festival has stood as a global celebration of the performing arts and their power to bridge cultural and national differences since 1947. 'That role is as relevant as ever, so I very much welcome the festival's commitment to affordability and accessibility in this year's programme. 'The international festival is where it all began for Edinburgh's festivals, so whether you are coming from near or far, I encourage everyone to enjoy the best of what Scotland and the world has to offer, across the genres of classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre and visual art. 'The Scottish Government's Expo fund is designed to help showcase Scottish artists and our festivals to the world, and I'm very proud to continue that support with £80,000 for this year's international festival.' Dana MacLeod, Creative Scotland's executive director of arts, communities and inclusion, said: 'Congratulations to the international festival team for this imaginative programme, which brings important conversations by world-leading artists and extraordinary creative experiences for audiences to the capital city. 'Borne out of a belief in the power of the arts to connect and provide hope in a divided world, the international festival's original ethos remains true today, with international and homegrown talent presenting stimulating work, reflecting and celebrating the world we inhabit. 'A long-time supporter, Creative Scotland is happy to have been able to confirm a funding commitment to the international festival for the next three years.'
The Independent
13-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Chichester Cathedral announces 950th anniversary celebrations
A series of celebrations has been announced to celebrate the 950th anniversary of the construction of Chichester Cathedral. A new choral piece has been composed as part of the festivities which will include street parties and an immersive light show highlighting the West Sussex cathedral's history. The events are starting with the exhibition Religion, Rebellion and Reformation, which opens on February 14 and will feature nine objects from across East and West Sussex which will each represent a century of the cathedral's history. A spokeswoman said: 'Through artefacts, stories and pivotal moments, the exhibition aims to highlight how the Christian faith shaped not just the cathedral's history, but the lives of people across the two counties.' A concert will be held on May 17 marking the 60th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and it will feature the new choral composition. Other events include TrinityFest on the Green on June 15 which will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity, to which the cathedral is dedicated, and will feature street parties in the city centre. The celebrations will conclude with the light show during the October half-term. Newly installed Dean of Chichester, The Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler, said: 'It is a privilege to join the cathedral at this exciting time as plans for the Chichester950 celebrations unfold. 'We hope these events will offer something for everyone. The anniversary also prompts us to look ahead to the next 950 years, and our efforts in various ways to create a legacy that will endure for generations to come.' Chichester Cathedral was preceded by the monastery of St Wilfrid at Selsey, which was founded in 681, but in 1075 construction began in Chichester after the Council of London ordered that cathedrals should be built in more populous areas. The cathedral was completed by Bishop Ralph Luffa and consecrated in 1108 but a series of fires in 1114 and 1187 led to a stone-vaulted roof being constructed and the cathedral was re-consecrated in 1199. Richard of Wych, the bishop of Chichester from 1245 to 1253, was canonised by Pope Urban in 1262 for his 'holy works and miracles' and the ceremony to move or 'translate' his body to the cathedral's retroquire was attended by King Edward I and huge crowds. The shrine of St Richard was later destroyed in 1538 during the Reformation. In about 1400, the spire, cloisters and bell were added, making it the only surviving medieval detached bell tower. During the civil war, the cathedral was ransacked in 1642 with repairs not carried out until after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. And in 1861 the tower and spire collapsed, with repairs carried out by Sir George Gilbert Scott taking five years before the cathedral could be reopened for worship in 1866.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chichester Cathedral announces 950th anniversary celebrations
A series of celebrations has been announced to celebrate the 950th anniversary of the construction of Chichester Cathedral. A new choral piece has been composed as part of the festivities which will include street parties and an immersive light show highlighting the West Sussex cathedral's history. The events are starting with the exhibition Religion, Rebellion and Reformation, which opens on February 14 and will feature nine objects from across East and West Sussex which will each represent a century of the cathedral's history. A spokeswoman said: 'Through artefacts, stories and pivotal moments, the exhibition aims to highlight how the Christian faith shaped not just the cathedral's history, but the lives of people across the two counties.' A concert will be held on May 17 marking the 60th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and it will feature the new choral composition. Other events include TrinityFest on the Green on June 15 which will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity, to which the cathedral is dedicated, and will feature street parties in the city centre. The celebrations will conclude with the light show during the October half-term. Newly installed Dean of Chichester, The Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler, said: 'It is a privilege to join the cathedral at this exciting time as plans for the Chichester950 celebrations unfold. 'We hope these events will offer something for everyone. The anniversary also prompts us to look ahead to the next 950 years, and our efforts in various ways to create a legacy that will endure for generations to come.' Chichester Cathedral was preceded by the monastery of St Wilfrid at Selsey, which was founded in 681, but in 1075 construction began in Chichester after the Council of London ordered that cathedrals should be built in more populous areas. The cathedral was completed by Bishop Ralph Luffa and consecrated in 1108 but a series of fires in 1114 and 1187 led to a stone-vaulted roof being constructed and the cathedral was re-consecrated in 1199. Richard of Wych, the bishop of Chichester from 1245 to 1253, was canonised by Pope Urban in 1262 for his 'holy works and miracles' and the ceremony to move or 'translate' his body to the cathedral's retroquire was attended by King Edward I and huge crowds. The shrine of St Richard was later destroyed in 1538 during the Reformation. In about 1400, the spire, cloisters and bell were added, making it the only surviving medieval detached bell tower. During the civil war, the cathedral was ransacked in 1642 with repairs not carried out until after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. And in 1861 the tower and spire collapsed, with repairs carried out by Sir George Gilbert Scott taking five years before the cathedral could be reopened for worship in 1866.
