Sister Teresa

Sister Teresa (Keswick) was deputy chief clerk for the Inner London Magistrates’ Courts until she was admitted to a Carmelite monastery in Quidenham, Norfolk thirty-seven years ago.

“This is the finest portrayal of sadness that I know. We are shown a Bathsheba who has hindsight and, therefore, knows the consequence of David’s terrible command. It is a command and not a request; she is not at liberty to refuse it.

But there is a second and far greater meaning to this picture and that is the affection with which Rembrandt has painted Hendrickje Stoffels. There can be few greater privileges for any woman than to be seen and then revealed by a genius who loves her, with a love that is a reflection of divine love.”

Sister Teresa’s favourite painting revealed in Country Life last year. She writes a column in The Oldie where she revealed her favourite cartoonist is Matt. What is her favourite music? Michael Berkeley found out on Private Passions, broadcast today, Easter Sunday. Tellingly the programme was recorded on a landline between London and Norfolk, so I infer the Carmelites do not have broadband.

Berkeley is a sensitive interviewer and allows his subjects to express themselves. Her day starts at 5.30 with time for a cup of tea before the first Service; bedtime at 10.00. She most misses holidays in France and going to markets there. Private Passions is much better than Desert Island Discs post-Plomley. Here is the music she chose for PP.

Plainchant; Salve Mater Misericordiae

Beethoven; Bagatelle in A minor – Fur Elise

Handel; Dead March (Saul)

Clement Jacob; Au milieu de silence (Psalm 18)

Simon & Garfunkel; the Sound of Silence

Verdi; Libiamo (Traviata, Act 1)

Strauss the Younger; Blue Danube – Waltz

Bach; Et Resurrect (Mass in  B minor)