The Southern Cathedrals Festival 2023 will be held in Chichester Cathedral from 14-16 July, with the combined choirs of Chichester, Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals performing in an exciting programme of events, performances and services held in the Cathedral and other iconic venues around the city centre.
This year's Festival celebrates the music of two towering figures of English music, William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes, both of whose 400th anniversaries fall this year. The achievements of Byrd, one of the great Renaissance polyphonists, rank alongside those of Palestrina, Victoria and Lassus in the history of European culture. Thomas Weelkes is of special interest here at Chichester Cathedral, where he was Organist and Master of the Choristers for much of his career. His reputation as a ‘notorious drunkard and blasphemer’ is at odds with the beauty of his musical output, which includes some of the finest Elizabethan madrigals, instrumental works, and (of course) anthems and service settings. The final concert, for which we will be joined by the renowned Rose Consort of Viols, will feature music by these two composers, with later works by Parry and Stanford.
The Festival Eucharist will be adorned by Frank Martin’s masterpiece, the Mass for Double Choir, a work that the composer withheld for forty years after its composition. Young soprano Natasha Page gives a recital in the beautiful surroundings of Pallant House Gallery, and Colin Walsh, a leading exponent of French organ repertoire, gives a concert on the Cathedral’s distinctive Mander/Hill instrument.
The Festival is a joyful expression of the friendship between our three cathedrals. We look forward to welcoming our extended family of audience members, worshippers, patrons, sponsors and musicians, and to sharing the Festival with you.