Last night we were in Kings College Chapel, Cambridge for three hours, watching the choir perform Handel's Messiah. In fact we were in FACT in Liverpool, watching the live performance as it was beamed by satellite all over the world by Opus Arte but it certainly felt as though we were in Cambridge, and driving home to Southport from Liverpool felt very strange, as though I'd slept for the part of the journey from Cambridge to Liverpool.
It was absolutely fantastic, and in a way it was as good or even better than being there, since we were treated to close ups of the choir and soloists. There was only one drawback. I SO wanted to join in with the rapturous applause at the end of the performance that lasted for at least ten minutes, but instead, had to sit there with the other 20-odd members of the FACT audience, in silence, for fear of being singled out as a wild crackpot. Yes - only 20-odd people in a modern. comfortable cinema, that at a rough guess could seat at least 300. What a crying shame.
Opus Arte are trying to bring cultural events to the masses and this Spring will be showing ballets including The Tales of Beatrix Potter and Swan Lake as well as operas from The Royal Opera House in London.
Oh, and while we were in FACT we spotted some of the artist son's zines in the shop. Unfortunately we were just too late to see his work in an exhibition there.
Thank you for the review! I watched it from the Arts Picturehouse in Cambridge and thoroughly enjoyed it - despite the fact I see the Chapel most days, as I am lucky enough to work to support it, I was bowled over.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind me posting a link to the new "Become a Friend of King's" programme, which helps support the College, Chapel and Choir, so that such musical marvels can continue in perpetuity!
Thanks for your comment. Our younger son was at Sidney Sussex and we visit Cambridge regularly. Earlier this year we attended a service in the chapel at Kings and I found it a really moving experience - that's why I was so delighted to be able to see the production on Sunday. I hope there'll be more events broadcast from Kings.
ReplyDelete