"Festival of Voices - Birmingham in the 19th Century ’ will showcase the richness and heritage of the city’s past and present. Sponsored by Lloyds Bank, the evening will bring the story of ‘from church to cathedral’ and ‘from town to a city’ to life.
The 19th century concert will be held at the Town Hall at 5pm on Saturday 20th June. The Town Hall was built in 1834 helped by funds raised from concerts held at St Philip’s church. A century where the church became a cathedral and the town became a city ...
1815–1915 will be remembered with drama performances covering Quakers in the city and the first Cadbury shop, the Burne-Jones windows in St Philip’s and the suffragette movement slashing and painting Birmingham Art Gallery and the pews at in St Philip’s.
Music will walk the audience through the building of the Town Hall and the death of two of its workers, St Philip’s becoming a cathedral in 1905 and WW1
A time- travelling opera ‘Tim Travall and his wondrous watch’ written and performed by a selection of children from St Clement’s Primary School in Nechells, St George’s Primary School in Edgbaston, St John’s Primary School in Sparkhill, Lapworth Primary School and Christ Church Primary School in Sparkbrook
Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co Chorus will be performing Haec Dies (Byrd), Il bianco edolce cigno (Arcadelt), Lift thine eyes (Mendelssohn) and When I was a lad (HMS Pinafore)
The concert will close with the audience and choirs singing Jerusalem.
The Cathedral Choir will perform: From Mendelssohn's ‘Elijah’, Holy, Holy, Holy, If with all your hearts and For he shall give his angels From “Requiem" by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) Great is the Lord: Elgar Charles H H Parry There is an old belief Vaughan Williams Lord thou hast been our refuge.
The evening will be compered by Birmingham historian Dr Chris Upton and feature the Cathedral Choir, city school musicians and other choirs interspersed with performances and readings. The first concert was held at St Martin in the Bull Ring back in February and was hailed a ‘magical evening’ from those who attended. The 20th century will be celebrated with a unique performance at the cathedral at 5pm on Saturday 27th February next year. 1915–2015 will cover the bomb damage to St Philip’s during WW2, the diversity of the city, the cathedral’s organ being rebuilt and the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings.
