By Amanda Murthy
This weekend, St Mary’s Cathedral musicians are set to rally in support for the restoration of sister-Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, which earlier this month was damaged by a catastrophic fire.
The Easter themed concert Resurrexit is set to be held at the Cathedral this Sunday 28 April at 7.15pm.
The presentation will feature the Cathedral Choir, cantors, Cathedral organists and ensemble singers presenting French works – some specifically written by past musicians of Notre Dame throughout its history.
St Mary’s Cathedral Director of Music Jacinta Jakovcevic said the Cathedral musicians were particularly moved by the devastation in Paris because of their personal connection to Notre Dame Cathedral.
“In February, our Cathedral welcomed two of Notre Dame’s musicians Johann Vexo [organist] and Damien Rivière [tenor] to Perth where they presented a recital of Marian chants and organ music and spent time giving lessons to our organ scholars,” she said.
“In addition to this special [personal] connection we now have with Notre Dame, I also think we strongly feel, as a Cathedral Music program, how precious our Cathedrals are.”
Ms Jakovcevic went on to explain that the Cathedral serves as a place where music is turned into prayer and is a place that has been through history, educational places where young musicians (some as young as seven or eight years old) begin to learn about the Church’s heritage of music and how it relates to liturgy.
“Notre Dame has been at centre of this type of learning in Paris for over 800 years so we feel a real sense of loss at its’ devastation and felt the need to help in the best way we can.
“The program will include Easter chants, polyphonic works of Victoria, Palestrina and the organ works of Daquin, Franck and Louis Vierne who was an organist at the Notre Dame Cathedral between the years 1900 to 1937.”
All proceeds from the concert will fund the restoration efforts in Paris.
Tickets available at St Mary’s Cathedral Piety Stall or at www.ticketswa.com/event/resurrexit.
For more information, contact St Mary’s Cathedral on 08 9223 1351.