A Good Friday fundraiser
The turn of the seasons into spring brings with it the most important festival of the Christian calendar, Easter. Whether or not one is a Christian, the themes of death, grief and renewal have resonance for us all and this can perhaps be shared most profoundly in collective experiences through music. We cannot fail to be touched by what is going on in the Middle East, with the deaths of many thousands of innocent children and, as many humanitarian groups and the United Nations are calling out, the ongoing genocide, so many of us wondering what we can do.
Angela Ward and Christine Sweetman have worked together fundraising for over 25 years with arts and media projects and put their heads together to create a special event which will take place on Good Friday as part of the Easter week services, it will be free to attend and will raise money for Medical Aid for Palestine by donation. It will feature the incredible work ‘Stabat Mater’ by G. B. Pergolesi and meditation readings based on sacred texts by Christine. It will feature choral members of the Wells Cathedral Choir, The Exeter Chamber Choir and three professional soloists to perform the work, all giving their time free of charge.
‘Stabat Mater’ is perhaps G. Pergolesi’s most famous piece and is utterly sublime in it’s musical exploration of the grief of a mother witnessing the death of her only son. Commissioned just before the end of his extremely successful yet tragically short life, it was written to provide music for an annual Good Friday service in honour of the Mother Mary and it expresses with simplicity and great beauty, the very human emotion of grief. Poignantly, Pergolesi wrote these notes while in the throes of the tuberculosis that claimed his life just weeks later at just 26 years old, leaving his own mother to grieve at his loss, the music linking both the biblical story and a human one in this most universal of experiences.
Angela is a versatile professional soprano who has sung a huge variety of material from Bulgarian folk to modern Jazz as well as the classical repertoire all over the world, including film work in Hollywood, and together with Emma Mills, a singer from Crediton with huge solo experience in performing Gilbert and Sullivan opera they will take us on a musical journey with time for personal reflection and meditation appropriate for Good Friday.
They are accompanied by local organist Ian Curror who has become a valued part of the musical scene in Totnes since moving to the area recently. As a past professor at the Royal College of music Ian’s playing will be a treat for all classical music lovers.
Christine Sweetman is a poet, performer & singer and has held exhibitions all over the South West including Bogan House and is a professional photographer. Her works often explore the profound themes of loss and relationship, and her readings will echo the sacred texts of the songs.
The event is supported by the Totnes Friends of Palestine and very kindly by the Parish vicar Reverend Jim Barlow and the team who have given the church space at St John’s free of charge.
The concert will be at 12.30pm at St John’s Bridgetown on Friday 18th April and all are welcome.