The Crucifixion by Giotto (b. 1267 or 1277 – d. 1337 CE). The scene is part of a cycle of frescoes showing the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. (Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, c. 1304 to c. 1315)
I doff my panama to Robert Thicknesse who writes about opera in The Critic. He has the courage to say that nobody would pay any attention to the new opera at RoHo if it wasn’t a famous film. He is alone as Felsten has received massive critical acclaim elsewhere. (I saw the play adapted from the film.) Emperor’s new clothes? It seems to me generally modern opera is ephemeral while modern church choral music is often glorious and eternal: Bernstein (Chichester Psalms and more) Rutter, Tavener, Britten, etc.
A less familiar name, at least to me, is John Sanders, an alumnus of the RCM, who composed The Reproaches in 1984 for Gloucester Cathedral. It will be sung this evening at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of The Liturgy of Good Friday.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you led your Saviour to the cross.
Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal one, have mercy on us.
For your sake I scourged your captors and their firstborn sons, but you brought your scourges down on me.
I led you from slavery to freedom and drowned your captors in the Red Sea, but you handed me over to your high priests.
Thank you Christopher for drawing our attention to John Sanders. A haunting but beautiful piece for Good Friday.
Totally agree although Dove’s operas at OHP have been entertaining.
Radio 3 had Macmillan’s 3 Tenebrae Responsories yesterday afternoon which were very much at the level of excellence you describe.