Choir Tour to Cyprus
VISIT TO NORTHERN CYPRUS
OCTOBER 2009
Members of the Gloucester Choral Society joined forces in October 2009 with the Kyrenia Chamber Choir in Northern Cyprus for two performances of The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins. The Gloucester party also gave a concert of its own.
This was the first-ever overseas tour by the choir.
Cyprus is currently divided between the Greek Cypriot South and the Turkish Cypriot North. This separation has prevailed since 1974, when the Turkish military intervened to protect the lives of Turkish Cypriots and to prevent the proposed union of the island with Greece. The “green line” separating the two communities is policed by the United Nations, and while there has been considerable relaxation of travel between the two sectors and talks are underway between the leaders of the two communities, deep divisions remain. Some three years ago the then UN Secretary General proposed a federal constitution. This was turned down in a referendum by the South, but remains the basis for current negotiations.
A prime objective of these concerts was to bring the two communities together through art, and by so doing to further the process of reconciliation and the development of greater mutual understanding. The initiative came from the Kyrenia Chamber Choir, but there was a fortunate connection with Gloucester Choral Society, who delivered a memorable performance of The Armed Man in February 2008.
Bellapais Abbey
The two performances of The Armed Man were held in the magnificent mediaeval Bellapais Abbey. Net proceeds were split between the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.
The GCS concert was held in the small Byzantine style church in the mountain village of Karmi. This concert, conducted by Adrian Partington, our Musical Director, comprised both accompanied and unaccompanied works, including Handel’s Zadok the Priest, early Italian and Spanish sacred music, four Rennaissance pieces, Franck’s Panis Angelicus and the Hallelujah Chorus.
Karmi Village
