On Saturday 19th June, the audience in Ely Cathedral were treated to a programme of live and virtual performances coordinated for Ely Arts Festival, by artistic director Chris Parsons.
The evening included moving renditions of Somewhere over the Rainbow and Sing! and the premieres of newly composed scores by Chris Leedham and David Sims, against the backdrop of drone footage, capturing the iconic buildings and landscape around Ely.
Lantivet Duo, a professional violin and piano playing couple, performed two short sets comprising an eclectic mix of music including from the 18th century, folk music and live looping compositions inspired by Balinese gamelan. There was also a 13-piece orchestra performing live made up of local musicians.
The Ely Arts Festival committee had overcome the odds to pull the concert together, with the support of Ely Cathedral and were particularly delighted to have involved over 220 school children from local primary and secondary schools, who had worked with Chris Parsons in the lead-up to the concert to learn and perform the songs so they could be recorded for the event. These performances, along with recordings from Sing Choirs and the Ely Cathedral Girl Choristers were presented on screens.
Chris Parsons explains more about the event: “We wanted to bring together an exciting mix of projects that have taken place across Ely during the lockdowns to showcase that the arts didn’t stop. The concert featured everything from classical music through to pop songs and dance routines, hopefully something for everyone to enjoy!”
Chris continues: “To be able to reach so many school children and local musicians even in these challenging times is such an important part of our work as a festival. We pushed technology to the limits combining the 250 strong virtual performers with the live instrumentalists in two pieces ‘Sing’ by Gary Barlow and ‘The Spirit of the Fens’ by Nils Greenhow, a piece that highlights the beauty of where we live. Next year we hope that we can invite all the performers who played and sung virtually this year to join us in person!”
The Ely Arts Festival Committee also thanked the festival sponsors; Lovewell Blake Accountants, Silver Oak Coffee, Poet’s House and Busybee Recruitment for their support.
The concert also provided the opportunity to unveil the ‘Fen Stitch Together’ Community quilt, which was produced by artist Louise Beale, who sewed together hundreds of patches created by school children and community members. This will be viewable again at the Jubilee Jamboree event on 26th.
The performance was live streamed and the recording is available on Ely Cathedral’s YouTube page.
The Ely Arts Festival continues with Jubilee Jamboree in Jubilee Gardens on 26th June, 10.30am to 3pm and Suitcase Shakespeare, also in Jubilee Gardens on Sunday 27th June.
More information on www.elyartsfestival.org.
Press release from Babylon ARTS
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