The Choir visit Portsmouth Cathedral
by Ann Scott Russell
After the intensity of Easter, on Low Sunday, the choir ventured along the coast to revisit a sunny, but very windy, Portsmouth. Spring was in the air and Portsmouth Cathedral was welcoming and familiar, although we struggled to remember the multiple door codes!
A few previous members of “the cast” joined us and some recent newcomers too, including several members of the junior choir, for morning Choral Eucharist. This rich assembly of voices sang our now favourite modern classic (2009) “Missa Brevis” by Dove. This contrasted perfectly with the traditional 17th century Byrd anthem “Non Vos Relinquam Orphanos” and all agreed that both the acoustics and the choir sounded amazing!
It is traditional for a pub lunch to follow as a reward for our hard work and The Dolphin did not disappoint. Some toured the harbour wall, others looked around the Cathedral. There has been a church on the same site since 1180 dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury. Of course, it has been much altered and extended over the years, most recently in 1990-91. There are strong associations with The Royal Navy and the seafaring community reflected in the remnants of Lord Nelson’s flag and the tomb of the unknown crew member from Mary Rose, both found in this holy place.
During Choral Evensong, we performed the twentieth century Gloucester service by Howells, which had been very well rehearsed and the even the tricky tuning came right for us Sopranos! Then finally the beautiful, haunting “O Nata Lux” by Tallis took us back nearly 500 years – a nod to this historic special place that has been in the heart of Portsmouth for centuries.
