The Univ Choir has returned from a successful tour to Florence, where they performed two concerts, two services and a British Institute event for HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Their first concert was in the intimate atmosphere of St Mark’s Anglican Church – a beautiful space hidden away amongst tenements and shop fronts. This concert featured music for Lent and Passiontide and included many of the works which will feature on the choir’s next recording.

They next performed a programme of secular music at Il Teatro del Sale, an amazing converted grain store. The theatre space is an offshoot of the nearby Cibrea restaurant and the audience was treated to a “double performance” – the first supplied by the chefs in the glass-fronted kitchen, calling (in fact singing) out each course as it was ready.

On Sunday 2 April, the Choir joined the congregation at St James’ Episcopal Church in their celebration of Eucharist, where they were warmly received. They then had to brave the security and paparazzi to get across town back to St Mark’s where they sang for HRH The Duchess of Cornwall in a private ceremony remembering her relatives who had been worshippers there.

HRH graciously greeted all the choir members thanking them for singing, and even kindly posed for official photographs, which will be received by College in due course. The BBC were also in attendance, making a documentary about the life and work of The Duchess and have offered the College use of footage of the choir, once the programme has aired.

The final event for the Univ Choir was a return to St Mark’s, this time an evensong, followed by pizza to round off a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding trip.

Giles Underwood, Univ’s Director of Music, commented: “The sound of the choir improved each time they sang together, and they were able to soak up the sights of Florence, as well as the unseasonably hot sunshine.”

College is extremely grateful to OM William Fforde, for facilitating many aspects of this successful and hugely enjoyable tour.

Published: 12 April 2017

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