Choir of St James’ European Tour

The Choristers of St James’ are packing their bags and fishing out their passports as they prepare to embark on the choir’s very first tour to Europe, singing in some of the world’s most historic and iconic buildings. Sydneysiders planning a visit to Europe might want to check out these dates to hear the choir sing in venues which include London’s Westminster Abbey,Vienna’s St Stephen’s Cathedral and Notre Dame in Paris.

One of Australia’s oldest musical institutions, the choir will undertake a week’s residency singing daily services at Westminster Abbey in London. Following this they will criss-cross Europe with a busy schedule of engagements at Winchester and Exeter Cathedrals, Notre Dame and La Madeleine in Paris, as well as the iconic Stephensdom in the heart of Vienna. Then it’s on to Rome and to the city of Palestrina, before returning to London for the Anzac Day Dawn Service and memorial services at Westminster Abbey.

For many singers it will be their first trip to Europe, and a life-changing opportunity to sing superb choral music in the very spaces for which it was composed. The choir will be championing Australian composers in their programme, singing new compositions by former and current members of the choir, Owen Elsley, Brooke Shelley, and Joseph Twist.

Choristers will keep a tour blog, where friends, family and supporters can follow their progress around Europe.
Now in its final stages of fundraising, the Choir has launched a crowdfunding campaign, with a range of rewards on offer for supporters.

31 March – 5 April        Westminster Abbey (Choir in Residence)
6 & 7 April                     Winchester Cathedral (Services and Lunchtime concert)
9 & 10 April                   Exeter Cathedral (Choir in Residence)
11 – 14 April                 Paris (Concerts at La Madeleine, Notre-Dame and Saint-Louis en l’Isle)
15 – 18 April                 Vienna (Concerts plus Morning Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral)
19 – 22 April                 Rome (Concerts and services in and around Rome)
25 April                         London (official ANZAC events – Dawn service & Westminster Abbey service)
Click here for more information or if you would like to donate to the European Choir Tour Fund.

This weekend the Choir of St James’ performs with the Australian Haydn Ensemble. Click here for more information.