Soprano Margaret Aagesen Hughes and alto Clare Bryden will lead plainchant and polyphony with prayers for Ascension at St Olave’s Church on Thursday 9 May.
Ascension Day is a Christian feast which follows Easter and commemorates the belief that Jesus ascended to Heaven after his resurrection.
The celebration will begin with vocal and instrumental music selected by the performers, who also include Catherine Bradley on cello, Andrew Maries on oboe, John Draisey on piano and Joshua Hamilton and Sarah Rimmington on violin.
They will then perform On the Holy Mountain by composer Andrew Wilson, written for a similar celebration held last year, followed by an anthem and instrumental music as part of a Compline service.
Judy Burgess will provide British Sign Language interpretation.
St Olave’s Church was founded in 1053 by King Harold’s mother, Lady Gytha.
The church was rebuilt and further modified during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, with final alterations made during the Victorian era.
St Olave’s joined the parish of central Exeter in 1971. The parish also includes the churches of St Stephen, St Petrock’s, St Pancras and St Mary Arches.
Compline: A celebration of Ascension will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 9 May 2024 at St Olave’s Church in Fore Street.
The event is free to attend and unticketed. Donations to St Olave’s Church will be welcome.
For more information visit Clare Bryden’s website.
Photo of The Church of St Olave by Hugh Llewelyn licensed under Creative Commons.
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