Alumni join Worth Choir to sing in Venice

At the beginning of August, the Worth Abbey Choir made a tour to Venice to sing Mass at St Mark's Basilica – and also to give concerts at the impressive Benedictine monastery just over the Grand Canal from St Mark's Square (San Giorgio Maggiore) and on the island of Murano, world famous for its coloured glassware.

The formal part of the tour began with a trip to the church of San Zaccaria, which contains the relics of both Saint Zachariah (father of Saint John the Baptist and author of the Benedictus canticle sung every morning at Worth as a part of Lauds) and Saint Athanasius the Great (known as the author of the Athanasian Creed, amongst other things). We were privileged to have Fr David Jarmy from the monastic community with us, who offered many great insights on these two figures to those assembled. Further visits included trips to the church of Santa Maria della Salute and the burial place of both Titian and Claudio Monteverdi – Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.

With around forty singers and a further twenty accompanying guests, there was a great sense of occasion and achievement. This tour brought together Worth School parents, teachers, alumni, Worth Abbey congregation members, and a number of singers based in and around London. As a singing guest who often performs with Westminster Cathedral Choir put it, "singing the music of Gabrieli in St Mark's Basilica – it doesn't get better than that!". 

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all who came and made this tour such a success, and I look forward to sharing details about next year's tour in due course. If you would like to be a part of the Abbey Choir on a regular basis or just as a part of a future tour, please do get in touch at: edean@worth.org.uk

Edward Dean, Abbey Director of Music and Monastic Organist