With its dome, barrel vaults and coffered ceiling, the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul is “an acoustical wonder” that is beautiful to the eye as well as the ear. (Sarah Webb)
If you love liturgical music that is well sung, the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul is the place to hear it through a series of concerts running through April.
The cathedral is of course a beautiful building to the eye, but also to the ear. “It is an acoustical wonder, a pioneer in its day,” said Michael Hogue, the executive director for Concerts at the Cathedral, who credits in part the elaborate coffered ceiling for the unparalleled purity of the sound.
He is not the first to notice it. Famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti was equally awed in 1989 when a scheduled performance at the Academy of Music had to be cancelled because of needed emergency structural repairs, and instead he headlined a concert version of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore at the grand old cathedral instead.
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“We have some incredible groups coming this year as we are in our fifth season,” Hogue said. This season for the Concerts at the Cathedral Basilica promises to be the best yet,” Hogue said. “As Pope Francis has opened the hearts of Philadelphia, we want to make the Cathedral Concerts open to all those who want to stop by and enjoy the beauty of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul and the beautiful music it produces.”
A spectacular upcoming event is this Saturday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. by a Philadelphia group Les Carnard Chantants presenting Spem in alim (Hope in any other), a pioneering motet written by Thomas Tallis in the late 16th century, which features eight choirs of five voices each scattered in different locations in what is considered a pre-electronics age form of surround sound.
On Nov. 21, an a capella chorus, Ancient Voices from the University of Pennsylvania led by William Parberry, will present medieval and Renaissance music, including Gregorian chant and selections from Dufay, Josquin Deprez, Gibbons, Byrd, Lassus and Ockegran.
On Dec. 4 the famed Tallis Scholars from London will usher in the Christmas season featuring Tallis’s Puer natus et nobis (A child is born to us) as well as selections from Arvo Pärt and John Sheppard.
A Dec. 13 Christmas Concert will bring together in joyful song the Cathedral Basilica Choir, the Archdiocesan Choir, the Archdiocesan Children’s Choir and the Archdiocesan Orchestra in a program that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
On Dec. 18 it’s Christmas with a German twist as three local ensembles — Tempesta di Mare, Piffaro and Choral Arts — will join forces in a joyful Advent Vespers as would be celebrated in 17th-century Dresden. It features selections from Samuel Scheidt, Michael Praetorius and Henrich Schütz.
On April 10 the Williamson Voices from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J., will present a program of newer works.
The following evening, April 11, the Cathedral Basilica will close out the season with a program “Washing of the Water” presented by Chanticleer from San Francisco.
Tickets for the various concerts can be ordered online through CathedralPhilaConcerts.org for the reasonable price range of $25-$40.
The program, which was begun five years ago by former Director of Liturgical Music John Romeri, has continued to flourish under Hogue. “We keep building our audience base,” he said.
In addition to the quality of the music he points to the benefits of a huge seating capacity, parking on site and walking distance to a number of good restaurants to make it an enjoyable experience.
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Visit the Cathedral Concerts website for more information, and see the link to order the CD “Sound the Holy Bell,” the official recording of the music performed during the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia.
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I have one comment. I think the place were they read the gospel should be made smaller or removed. I know it is very beautiful but the people on that side do not see the Mass. Just a thought. I love our Bishop and do want him to think I am picky. We have a beautiful Cathedral. Love & prayers paul
The people of the archdiocese, especially the musicians, are so grateful to Dr. Romeri and his esteemed successor for their efforts in bringing Philadelphia up to par, so to speak, in bringing musical artistry of the finest quality to our city cathedral as the nation’s other dioceses enjoy. This is no small task and deserves to be commended!
God Bless, John Romeri for his vision and his hard work in our Archdiocese! This series would not be a reality if it weren’t for him.