Ely Consort - Sing a new song

Ely Consort is a Chamber choir of about 40 voices, performing music in a wide variety of styles; their performance venues include Ely Cathedral as well as other local churches. They have built up a performing reputation over the last 30 years, to be known as one of the premier Chamber Choirs in East Anglia.

Ely Consort really will ‘sing a new song’ in this concert, which takes place in the magnificent Lady Chapel. The choir will pair old and new settings of familiar texts, and the programme includes the world premiere of Sing, O heav'ns by the renowned contemporary choral composer Ben Ponniah, which has been commissioned by Ely Consort specifically for the incredible acoustics of the Lady Chapel. This new work will be contrasted with a seventeenth century version by the Ely composer John Amner.

Other highlights will include settings of Cantate Domino, canticum novum. ('Sing unto the Lord a new song') by Claudio Monteverdi and Ko Matsushita, Bob Chilcott’s Silver Swan, an imaginative integration of Orlando Gibbons’ well-known part-song with brand new music, and Eric Whitacre’s stunning setting of When David heard, an incredible piece which captures the meaning of this text in an extraordinarily powerful and emotional manner.

They are delighted to be joined by guest soloist Cherry Blanchard (flute), who will contrast sonata movements by Bach and Poulenc. Do come along and enjoy the Lady Chapel's superb acoustic resounding to some old and new choral, and flute, works, including a world premiere!

This concert is part of the 2025 Ely Arts Festival.

Ely Consort would like to acknowledge the kind support of The Williams Church Music Trust in connection with this concert and promoting new works of sacred music.

Musical Director/Conductor: Matthew Rudd
Piano: Anne Reece
Flute: Cherry Blanchard

Full programme:
Thomas Weelkes / Eric Whitacre: When David heard
Claudio Monteverdi / Ko Matsushita: Cantate Domino
Thomas Tallis / James MacMillan: If ye love me
John Amner / Ben Ponniah (World premiere - Ely Consort commission): Sing, O heav'ns
Orlando Gibbons / Bob Chilcott: The Silver Swan
Marek Raczynski / Peter Philips: Gaudeamus omnes

Flute solos - Cherry Blanchard
JS Bach: Adagio ma non tanto (from Sonata in E minor)
Roussel: Pan (from Joueurs de flûte)
Francis Poulenc: Allegro malinconico (from Sonata in E minor)
Christopher Ball: Pagan Piper (from Invocations of Pan) (unaccompanied)

Tickets: £20. Under 18s Free. (unreserved seating)
Tickets are only refundable if Ely Cathedral cancels an event or changes a date.
No alcohol or glass may be brought into the Cathedral.