The World is to End

[Guest]

On checking the newly delivered Radio Times to see if next week's CE is coming from my establishment (so that I can develop a sore finger and leave it to the OS) I find that something called o p e r a is being broadcast instead.

Let the corwumphs and indignation begin...

[Simon Biazeck]

Think of it as an ecumenical gesture from the Norse gods. I will be doing my part as one of the Vassals.

[underthecountertenor]

At last! I was wondering (out loud, on the Night at the Opera forum, some time ago) when this forum would tumble to the news. I'll be at the opera in person, listening out for Mr Biazeck's vassalesque Magnificat.

[Magnificat]

At last! I was wondering (out loud, on the Night at the Opera forum, some time ago) when this forum would tumble to the news. I'll be at the opera in person, listening out for Mr Biazeck's vassalesque Magnificat.

St Albans were booked to do CE on 24th - advertised on their site during the Summer holidays. The BBC subsequently changed the Evensong schedule.

Great shame as the choir is terrific at present. I hope the boys' voices (including yet another superb treble soloist ) last until they are rescheduled.. Perhaps they will broadcast as part of the IOF in July.

VCC.

[Flosshilde]

Presumably it's just the broadcast that's been cancelled?

(I'm thinking of the view that a priest says Mass even if there is nobody in the church, because God is always there. Similarly, the service can still be held at St Alban's because God doesn't need a radio to hear it)

[ardcarp]

Similarly, the service can still be held at St Alban's because God doesn't need a radio to hear it

By your logic, there is never any point in broadcasting CE. In reality CE on R3 is a musical performance (yes it is) with a spiritual dimension that gives pleasure to many, including the silent army of agnostics.

[BasilHarwood]

By your logic, there is never any point in broadcasting CE. In reality CE on R3 is a musical performance (yes it is) with a spiritual dimension that gives pleasure to many, including the silent army of agnostics.

Um. It's an act of worship not a musical performance. A performance is a concert...

[Magnificat]

Presumably it's just the broadcast that's been cancelled?

(I'm thinking of the view that a priest says Mass even if there is nobody in the church, because God is always there. Similarly, the service can still be held at St Alban's because God doesn't need a radio to hear it)

Flosshilde

Of course the cathedral will hold a said service ( the girls choir sing on Wednesdays but it is half term); but it is not as straightforward as that for a somewhere like St Albans with no choir school and choristers drawn from up to a dozen different schools.

Since the cathedral choir of men and boys doesn't normally sing on Wednesdays all the arrangements necessary - the men getting time off work and the boys from their schools, for example,to put this service on would have come to nought which must have been very annoying for the music department there to say the least.

This year, I believe, there was also the situation that some boys would have been on half term and others not and the former families may well have already changed holiday plans to accommodate the broadcast.

I understand that the BBC were asked to record the service but declined - very helpful lot!

VCC.

[salymap]

The BBC seem to be going in for overkill again. First they ruined Schubert for many, next piano music, now Wagner.

I must break the sad news about the absence of CE next week to my 92 year old organist friend who never misses it.

[BasilHarwood]

The BBC seem to be going in for overkill again. First they ruined Schubert for many, next piano music, now Wagner.

I must break the sad news about the absence of CE next week to my 92 year old organist friend who never misses it.

The ROH are performing the ENTIRE Ring Cycle - how often does that happen?! I think the loss of one CE is rather insignificant if you ask me. Take a listen to Gotterdammerung, it's fantastic...

[Flosshilde]

The ROH are performing the ENTIRE Ring Cycle - how often does that happen?! I think the loss of one CE is rather insignificant if you ask me. Take a listen to Gotterdammerung, it's fantastic...

Indeed - blame the ROH for not putting it on in a week, as used to be the ususal practice. Then Wednesday would have been free & CE able to go ahead.

[Flosshilde]

Magnificat, your explanation of the 'problems' caused seems, on the surface, to be very reasonable. However, after a little thought I'm afraid it doesn't stand up. Surely that would all happen even if the service wasn't being broadcast? My understanding (limited, I admit) of church services is that they happen at designated times according to a calendar - I'm sure that I've seen sign boards outside churches that give the name of the minister/vicar/priest and the times of services, & what type of service they are.

Or is it a case of 'Songs of Praise Syndrome'?

[doversoul1]

The ROH are performing the ENTIRE Ring Cycle - how often does that happen?! I think the loss of one CE is rather insignificant if you ask me. Take a listen to Gotterdammerung, it's fantastic...

So what?!
We all have different preferences and priorities in interest.

[salymap]

Indeed - blame the ROH for not putting it on in a week, as used to be the ususal practice. Then Wednesday would have been free & CE able to go ahead.

Quite Flossie, I wasn't thinking of myself actually but my very unwell 92 year old organist friend.

[BasilHarwood]

So what?!
We all have different preferences and priorities in interest.

A change is as good as a holiday.