Music this week

On Wednesday back to Philharmonia Chorus after a gap since the Verdi Requiem to rehearse Beethoven's "Fidelio" at Hinde St Methodist church with Martin Merry of ENO. I was unable to sing at King's Cambridge as the concert fell on Easter Vigil but heard the excellent broadcast on Easter Monday (Light of Life and Sursum Corda by Elgar, Vaughan Williams 5 mystical songs). It is 28 years since the chorus first sang on stage in Fidelio in Orange. It was an amazing experience. Zubin Mehta conducted the Israel Philharmonic with Gundula Jamowitz and Jon Vickers. I have a video of the rehearsals with the chorus trying to march! The feeling of liberation was fantastic after being cooped under the stage in the heat. At one rehearsal we sang every verse of Ilkley Moor ba tat as we waited. Professionals would never have stood for it! At another both cameras ran out of film. Seeing the film of the performance 10 years later was sad as several friends had passed on. The coach had a minor crash and Liz was worried about Dennis who she was expecting and we got moved out of the hotel on top of the station! There was panic among some of the chorus who did not know their parts properly - some stayed up all night to learn it. Yao from Singapore carried me across the stage - he went on to sing at Bayreuth and direct the Singapore chorus - wonderful bass voice. we tried to contact him when in Singapore without success.
How the memories flood back! Paul Jennings said we would never be able to sing Beethoven 9 in the same way again after that experience and he was right!
Thursday Gerontius rehearsal with Robert Dean on great form. My favourite work and I am in semi-chorus for it and it will be at the cathedral. Tonight at practice we learnt Henry G Ley's "Lo round the throne" (good workmanlike music) and Harwood in A flat. Listening to Sunday's evensong from radio 3 - Buxtehude. Lovely Schubert Mass in E flat on radio on drive home from Coulsdon. Liz at Roscrea Abbey in Ireland - I miss her so much!
Dentist gave me the all clear on Wednesday. Adrian Gunning's recital at St Michael's was different and very well played. I met Celia Blackden of CTE Interfaith advisor at Grosvenor Lounge Victoria yesterday - very useful chat!