Music from the Coronation of Elizabeth I

Saturday evening I went to a concert at Southwark Cathedral, where the Renaissance Singers were performing works from the coronation of Elizabeth I.   Quite a change from the afternoon's offering!

Southwark Cathedral, although not enormous, is still quite large, and provides a splendid venue for concerts like this.

I'd heard the Renaissance Singers before, so expected the concert would be very good, and I was not disappointed.   A mixed choir of about 30/40 singers, all smartly dressed in black, they sang a variety of music mostly, but not entirely, from the actual coronation.

There was also a commentary, from which I learned quite a lot of things which I hadn't known previously about here coronation,   For instance, she should have been crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but unfortunately he had recently died and no-one new had been appointed,  Next in line was the Archbishop of York, but unfortunately he was in prison, so couldn't do it.   Several other who were further down the line made excuses not to do it, and finally the Bishop of Carlisle agreed.

Despite her own religious views, Elizabeth I was crowned according the the rites of the Catholic Church, with much ceremonial.   However, disapproving of the elevation of the Host before communion, she disappeared into a side room so she didn't have to be present.   Before her coronation, she had made a very leisurely journey to Westminster Abbey, meeting her subjects on the way, and after all the ceremonies were over, she again mingled with the people, who were extremely enthusiastic about their new young queen, who apparently took the vows of her coronation very seriously indeed.

She was so much loved that the day of her accession became a public holiday for 200 years - perhaps we should start a tradition of a public holiday for the accession of our current Queen, who has contributed to much to the life of the nation.

I was lucky enough to be able to get a front seat, which made the concert even more enjoyable; it was a delight to be able to just sit there and let the music swirl around me.

There is something about the music from that period; not only was a tremendous amount produced, but so much of it it absolutely beautiful to listen to.