Page 558 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

especially in the scene where Nicolas journeys to Palestine. Here, the men of the chorus came into
their own, stamping their power and strength of voice on the movement with the female members of
the chorus depicting so clearly the scene when Nicolas arrives in Myra with the mixed children’s choir
from St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, offering holiness and humility to this most
reverent of scenes highlighted by the purity of their voices.

And members of the audience stamped their credentials on this handsome and most rewarding work,
too, loudly joining in with the stage forces in those most emotional, majestic and well-loved Anglican
hymns ‘All People that on earth shall dwell’ and ‘God Moves in a Mysterious Way’. He most certainly
does! They sang their hearts out with The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich gathered in
their midst who, hopefully, was pleased with his flock of songsters!

Britten: St Nicolas - Nick Pritchard, Britten Sinfonia, Britten Pears Chorus, Jessica Cottis - Aldeburgh Festival at Snape Maltings, 2024 (Photo: Angus Cooke)

A joyous occasion all round rewardingly crowned by breaking news stating that Roger Wright, CBE,
Chief Executive of Britten Pears Arts (retiring from this lofty position after the festival) being awarded
a knighthood in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List for Services to Music. Three cheers and all that
- and more cake. Battenberg, please!

Reviewed by Tony Cooper