Hail! Bright Cecilia

Music for St Cecilia's Day

Gounod Messe solennelle de Sainte-Cécile

Purcell Choruses from Hail! Bright Cecilia

7.30pm, Sunday 22 November 2026 Mansfield College Chapel, Mansfield Road, Oxford Tickets £14 (students £8)

Tickets

Saint Cecilia, early Christian martyr, and patron saint of music and musicians, has inspired composers over the centuries, and on St Cecilia’s day this year the Cherwell Singers present a programme in celebration of her.

The major work of the concert will be the Messe solennelle de Sainte-Cécile by Charles Gounod, written in 1855 and first performed on St Cecilia’s day in Paris. Originally scored for full orchestra, our version will be performed by organ, harp, and timpani as well as the three soloists required and chorus.

Coupled with this will be the three choruses from Henry Purcell’s Ode to St. Cecilia, also first performed on November 22nd, but in 1692 and in London. With a text by poet Nicholas Brady, Purcell’s choruses display his characteristic stylish matching of text to music, and ability to write for grand festal occasions.

Do join us at Mansfield College for a celebration of music and musicians on the most appropriate day of the year for this particular programme.

The Cherwell Singers

Conductor James Brown

Organ Dónal McCann

Tickets £14 (students £8)