There is perhaps nothing more peculiarly Anglican than Choral Evensong, the principal daily musical service of Anglican cathedrals worldwide. Originating in the monastic hours of Vespers and Compline, its considerable beauty lies both in the unsurpassed poetry of the order laid down by Thomas Cranmer in the Book of Common Prayer (1662) and in the glorious and hugely varied musical repertoire, which continues to evolve to this day.

Sung by the choir in the late afternoon, its predominantly reflective and contemplative mood provides a precious oasis of calm in a troubled world. In British cathedrals attendance at weekday Choral Evensong has been rising steadily for a number of years, attracting many people who do not consider themselves church-goers, or even believers. There is also a service broadcast live from a different cathedral each week on B.B.C. Radio and available worldwide through the Internet: it is highly recommended.

In Hungary, the Gabrieli Choir – the only choir to specialize in the study and performance (usually in concerts) of Anglican cathedral repertoire – sings two services a year, and thus offers a unique opportunity for this wonderful repertoire to be heard in the context for which most of it was originally written. The choir’s next Choral Evensong will be a service for Lent, on Saturday 5th March, 2016 at the Fasor Lutheran Church (Bp., VII., Városligeti fasor 17.). As with all Evensongs, it is very much open to all.

At the centre of Choral Evensong lie the canticles Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and on this occasion the Gabrieli Choir will be performing (for the first time in its 10-year history) the glorious setting composed for the Choir of Gloucester Cathedral in 1946 by Herbert Howells (1892-1983).

The anthem will be a complete performance of the exquisite five-part Lamentations by Robert Whyte (c.1538-1574): a true masterpiece of the English Renaissance.

There will also be psalmody (music by former organists of both Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral), hymnody (including the haunting My Song is Love Unknown by John Ireland (1879-1962)), and music for organ by Howells and J. S. Bach.

The organist will be Alan Sutton, and the Gabrieli Choir will be conducted by its Artistic Director, Richard Sólyom. The service starts at 5.30 (the organ prelude will commence at 5.20) and finishes at about 6.45. There is no charge for admission. Please do join us.