Harry Christophers writes of this evocative programme in honour of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music:

I am delighted that we have the opportunity to feature in the same programme many composers whose works we have premiered over the past few years, Ruth Byrchmore, Alissa Firsova, Roxanna Panufnik, Margaret Rizza and our very own Kim Porter. Two settings of poems to the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia, form the centrepiece of each half with works to Our Lady book-ending the evening’s wealth of contemporary choral music. Howells complements Firsova with both using heartrending poetry; Firsova’s Stabat mater depicts the Mother at the foot of the Cross lamenting her dying Son while Howells uses a Latin poem superbly translated by Helen Waddell to lament the death of JFK.