THE Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will host a feast of Marian music to honour its patroness on 15 May at 2pm.
The Cathedral’s Principal Cantor Daniel Mullaney will team up with Director of Cathedral Music and Principal Organist Jacinta Jakovcevic to present a unique programme of Marian vocal and organ music to highlight Our Lady’s month of May.
Titled Marian Meditation, the concert traces the life of Our Lady in music in a special presentation featuring favourites such as Schubert’s Ave Maria and Caccini’s Ave Maria – and even something to cater for opera buffs with Mascagni’s Sancta Maria from his famous opera Cavalleria Rusticana’.
Adding variety to this ‘aural collage’ are excerpts from Paul Hindemith’s Das Marienleben (The Life of Mary): a rarely performed work offering short, meditative glimpses into Our Lady’s life.
Hindemith (1895-1963) was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Written in 1923, this work is known for its powerful imagery, poignant expression and beauty of melodic outline. It features poetry of Bohemian poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926).
Also on the programme are Marian-inspired organ works by Vierne, Daquin and Messiaen performed on the Cathedral’s historic Dodd organ. Experiencing these works in the much-acclaimed acoustic of St Mary’s Cathedral is a real aural feast and coupled with the Cathedral’s awe-inspiring surrounds make for an unique experience in the City of Perth, Ms Jakovcevic said. “An outstanding young singer, 20 year old Daniel is already well-known to Cathedral congregations and concert audiences with a vocal maturity well beyond his years,” she said. Daniel has been a member of the Cathedral Choir since the age of 11 and plays a prominent role at the Cathedral as its Principal Cantor – a position he has held since the age of 17.
The afternoon includes a complimentary Miss Maud afternoon tea served in the Parish Centre and adjoining courtyard.
Miss Maud is also offering a $10 off lunch or dinner on the day of the concert at its Pier Street restaurant on presentation of concert tickets. Bookings are essential.
Tickets $45 ($35 concession) available from BOCS (9484 1133 www.bocsticketing.com.au). Proceeds go toward the Cathedral Fundraising appeal.