Exeter Choir tours Paris

The College choir had a wonderful time on their Paris tour this week. They performed in Notre Dame Cathedral, and at La Sainte Chapelle (the Gothic chapel built by Louis IX to house his collection of relics), as well as at L’eglise de la Madeleine, and L’eglise anglicane Saint-Michael.

The programme of music included Songs of Farewell by Hubert Parry, Nunc Dimittis by Gustav Holst, Mass for Five Voices and Civitas Sancti Tui by William Byrd and much more.

Each performance had its own character – from the moving participation in Sunday Mass at Notre Dame (10 years on from Exeter Choir’s last performance there on Sunday of 10th week, Hilary 1999) to the ethereal and beautiful concert in Sainte Chapelle, attended by over 150 people. For the performance in St Michael’s church some secular favourites were also added to the programme, from the Beatles (Here, There and Everywhere) to Gershwin (Summertime) and Porter (Let’s Do It).

The performance in Sainte Chapelle was a particularly significant moment of the tour, as this Chapel with its soaring ceiling and high stained glass windows was the design upon which Exeter Chapel was based.

The tour follows similar successful trips in recent years to Switzerland and Austria, and the Choir’s next tour will be to the USA in the autumn. Old Members based in the States are encouraged to keep an eye out for dates and details: if you have a chance to come along and listen to one of the choir’s wonderful performances, please do!