The organist librarian

Hot again. Played Sheep may safely graze (Liz's Mum's favourite) and Sortie Noel Rawsthorne. We sang Marry Haugen's Let us build a house, We have a gospel and David Ogden's Christ has no body now but yours. Next Sunday I will play Finlandia Liz's Dad loved that. Good thing Finland not in the World Cup! I am working on Easter hymn by Mascagni. I need a piano score without vocals so will have to arrange it myself I expect. To the first Death Cafe at Sylvan Road which was fascinating. At evensong we sang Coll Reg and O pray for the peace of Jerusalem - a feast of Howells. To Christ's chapel Dulwich for Andrew Benson-Wilson playing Couperin and Tournemire. How nice to know that Ellie Gauge whose mother I met today is still singing in church. She was in the choir at St Andrew Coulsdon. Poldark was good. 

To Gladstone park in Balmain on the bus to meet Candy, Jonah and Arwyn. They were pleased to see us and liked the sweets. The priest showed us St  Augustine's church which has an old organ. We went to the house which is lovely and bought some books at the independent book shop in Balmain before bus back and a swim in Petersham pool. Saw Ann and had dinner at b n b. a night to remember at the Opera house. Cav and Pag in a great production we had seen. At the cinema. Excellent singing, acting and playing the orchestra sounds really well and chorus excellent. Good conductor. The tenor was a bit wooden at first. It as the first night and we met a Melbourne couple hole we were having our brut rose. He came from Verna the village Mascagni based the opera on. Thanks to the kids for a wonderful present. We got a train back straight away and had a cold beer on our return.

Tuesday we both went to Cav and Pag from ROH at Stratford Picturehouse and had good takeaways/ It was an excellent production with brilliant singing. Liz went to Acton and I went to Tate Modern. Alexander Calder mobiles are effective but the World of Pop was puerile and gaudy. Sat in the Friends room preparing for the evening at Abrar House  to speak on challenging a culture of hate. Lively discussion and some good points. I quoted Pope Francis and Luke 3. Nice meal afterwards and met Habib's sister. 3 of the hecklers were awful and one reduced a 22 year old panel member to tears calling her naive. 

:Liz is thurifer and I am mitre. Oddly I did not feel as though I had been to Mass. I hardly heard the readings or homily. Don't know why because Paul shows exactly what to do! Arrived at church to be met by Paul and Hayley. He announced he is leaving. Apparently some people have complained to the patrons whoever they are and he is going. He is fed up with John and we agreed he is impossible. It is confidential at the moment. Carrie confirmed it after service. It's a blow and I might need to consider my position as an interregnum will not funny and the church might close if the money runs out. It is of course very convenient. The flies in the ointment are the tuning of the organ and the treasurer! I gave Paul 2 magazines which he was pleased about "Music and liturgy" and PMM newsletter. I wonder if he will go to Rome? I played Willan on Bishopthorpe and Song 34 and Hurford on Song 34. For a change I played the Intermezzo from Cavaliera rusticana which Andrew like...