Your RCO event details can be found below.
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Westminster Abbey needs no introduction as the venue for coronations and other
great occasions of state. Here Henry Purcell, the 350th anniversary of whose birth we
celebrate this year, is buried, along with many other composers and writers. Purcell
was appointed Organist of the Abbey in 1679 and during his time there wrote many of
his most famous anthems.
This day allows us privileged access to the Abbey and to the Cheneygates Room, built at the end of the 15th century and the birthplace of Edward V and prison of Sir Thomas More. Professor Bruce Wood of Bangor University, whose unrivalled knowledge of English music of the late sixteenth century and of Purcell’s music
in particular, will set the scene with a talk contrasting Purcell’s life and work at the Abbey with his career at the Chapel Royal. After lunch we will have a private tour of the Abbey itself followed
by attendance at part of choir practice and at choral evensong, where we will hear Purcell’s music
performed by the Abbey’s famous choir under the direction of the present-day Organist and Master
of the Choristers, James O’Donnell. We end with a trip to the spacious organ loft for a demonstration of
the five-manual Harrison and Harrison instrument followed by tea.
Schedule
11.15 Arrive - tea, coffee and biscuits served in Cheneygates
11.45 Purcell at Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal,
illustrated talk by Professor Bruce Wood
12.45 Sandwich lunch
13.45 Verger-guided tour of Westminster Abbey
14.30 Attend final part of choir practice in the Quire
15.00 Attend choral evensong with reserved seating
15.45 Visit organ loft for organ demonstration
16:15 Tea and cakes served in Cheneygates
Lunch, and tea and coffee at the beginning and end of the day are included in attendance price.
Please note that Cheneygates is up a flight of about 40 stairs. We regret that there is no provision
for disabled access.
A booking form is available in the Downloads section of the website. Alternatively you can email the College to be sent one.