The calendar of events at Carlisle Cathedral continues to offer a wide variety of literary and musical events, welcoming nationally and internationally renowned authors and musicians to the city.
On Thursday 7 May, with his trademark reverence and revelry, The Revd. Fergus Butler-Gallie travels through time and place to get to the heart of the religion he is so passionate about at this one-off evening event. He is the author of ‘Touching Cloth’, ‘The Field Guide to English Clergy’, and his newest bestseller, ‘Twelve Churches’ and the evening will include a welcome drink, talk and book-signing. This event has been organised in conjunction with Churches Trust Cumbria.
On Wednesday 13 May, The Patrick Henry College Chorale, will give a free concert in the Cathedral. Comprised of 52 energetic college students from across America, the PHC Chorale is purposeful and focused on a mission – creating an unforgettable choral sound infused with rhythmic intensity, beautifully blended, passionately presented, and offered for the glory of their Creator. The Chorale’s repertoire ranges from music of the Renaissance and Classical masters (Sweelinck and Rheinberger) to the finest European and American composers of today (Gjeilo, Mealor, Forrest and Kirchner). Songs of their American home, “Shenandoah” and “Ain’t No Grave Can Hold My Body Down” showcase the diversity of style that leaves the listener both to reflect and be inspired.
On Sunday 17 May, singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones brings A Troubadour Journey: Lindisfarne to Durham to the Fratry Hall. The concert will gather together the stories and experiences woven into new music from his time walking through these beautiful parts of Northumberland and Durham. For audiences the events promise a vivid and entertaining musical encounter with the sights, sounds, history and contemporary heart of these Northern pilgrimage trails. As well as the new material, the concerts will also feature selected songs from across Gareth’s career that capture a sense of journeying and particularly the spirit of the Northern Trails – for example, “Lindisfarne” about Eadfrith and the writing of the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Local musicians Jack McNeill (clarinet & bass clarinet, percussion & whistles), Eleanor McIntosh (soprano) and Kate Halsall (piano and harmonium & piano) return to the Fratry Hall on Friday 19 June, to present the next installment of The Almanac. This is a musical stirring that combines instrumental music with poetry, song, found texts, improvisations and a certain trademark creative curiosity. This performance sees some of Cumbria’s finest chamber musicians come together to continue to forge a musical tradition. It has a thread woven through new music and reimagined classics, a turning of the year, an Almanac for Cumbria, a book of days.
On Sunday 28 June, acclaimed pianist Ida Pelliccioli will return to the Fratry Hall to perform her latest concert, presenting a new programme of pieces celebrating the work of Claude Debussy and his influences. Ida has visited Carlisle the past two years, delighting audiences with her piano playing.
Tickets for all events are available here.
