Joy and relief percolated throughout the choir on Tuesday 28th June, as Chris the Chaplain made it to the flight gate just in time (having dutifully ensured everyone got through security without issue). Stepping out of the airport at the other end, the choir was greeted with the intense summer heat of Pisa; there would be time to enjoy this city when we returned, but for now we enjoyed the beautiful train journey across Tuscany to Florence, where we would spend most of the week to come. Once settled into our rooms, we dispersed for our first taste of Italian food and an evening of exploration.
We awoke the next day for a morning rehearsal in St Mark’s English Church, Florence, where the choir got used to singing together once again and the organ scholars were able to try out the first Italian organ of the week. The rest of the day was left free so that everyone could get to know and experience this wonderful city.
On Thursday we headed to Rome, where the choir attempted to see as much of the city as possible in one day, before converging at All Saints’ Anglican Church, for our first performance of the trip. Despite having us billed as Jesus, Cambridge, this quintessential Anglican church was a fantastic first place to perform in. It provided a lovely space for the choir to sing in; a large three manual organ for Himmy (one of the organ scholars) to accompany the service of Evensong from and a lovely crypt for the choir to cool off in. Highlights included the gorgeous anthem Geistliches Lied (Brahms) and the organ voluntary Nun Danket Alle Gott (Karg-Elert). Many of the now exhausted choir managed to catch some rest on the late train back to Florence, recuperating for the following day.
This day included more rehearsals and some free time for exploration, before another service of Evensong, this time at St Mark’s English Church, another great venue nestled into the streets of Florence. The choir enjoyed their second performance, despite the psalm containing an extravagant twenty-two verses and the organ’s swell box closing at will, and needing to be prised open manually.
Saturday was left largely free for the choir to enjoy and experience just how amazing the city of Florence is. The vast amount of religious and artistic culture available was a real treat and probing all of this was only limited by the choir’s ability to withstand the scorching sun.
The following day brought the final two performances for the choir. The choir treated the congregation of St Mark’s to Hadyn’s Little Organ Mass in morning, followed by drinks and nibbles before making their way to St James Episcopal church for evensong, which was to be their final performance of the trip. And what a performance it was!
The choir gave an excellent rendition of Rachmaninov’s masterpiece, Bogoroditse Dyevo – helped by Grisha’s recordings of the Russian pronunciation – and Chris the Chaplain delivered a “short, but life changing” sermon, before Conrad (the incoming organ scholar, who had joined the trip to get to know everyone) in his first service playing for the choir, performed the Toccata of Léon Boëllmann’s Suite Gothique, which was wonderfully received.
On Monday, still delighted by their performances the day before, the choir relaxed and enjoyed their final day in Florence, before enjoying a group meal together in the evening, which included the presentation of awards, such as best outfit and best translator.
Then on Tuesday it was time to head home. Another train across Tuscany and a chance to explore Pisa properly before arriving late back at Gatwick, with many happy memories and some great photos to remember it all by!
Oliver Edwardes