Sung Eucharist: Cecile Chaminade
Messe pour deux voix égales by French composer Cécile Chaminade, sung by the St Margaret’s Choristers in the week of International Women’s Day
Born into a musical family in Paris in 1857, Cécile Chaminade went on to become a well respected pianist and composer, influenced by the style of French Romantic composers such as Camille Saint-Saëns and Charles Gounod. She was the first woman composer to be awarded the Legion d’Honneur, an achievement reflecting Ambroise Thomas’ description of her: “This is not a woman who composes, but a composer who is a woman”. Her beautiful setting of the mass for two soprano voices and organ will be sung by the St Margaret’s Choristers – girls aged 11-17 who come together from a variety of schools across London to sing as part of the rich tradition of Anglican choral music. The Choristers sang their first service with the St Margaret’s Consort in October 2023, but this service marks their debut as an ensemble in their own right.
Fraternité
These activities are part of Fraternité, a spring season at the Abbey celebrating the links between the UK and France with music, talks and events.
