Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Choir: Mystical Mozart
- Date: 14/06/2026 14:00
- Location: Catholic Pro-Cathedral, 373 Manchester Street
- Tickets: $30 & $25
Behold, the Tabernacle of God, a spectacular John Rutter anthem for large orchestra and choir, begins a CBS concert directed by Don Whelan at 2 pm on Sunday June 14, 2026, in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, 373 Manchester Street. Programme admission will be $30 and $25.
Those same words in the original Latin were emblazoned on the former Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and the concert highlight will be a performance of Mozart’s Litany of the Blessed Sacrament, K.243. This is the most famous and substantial of the four litanies he wrote, similar in style, scope and grandeur to his Requiem, also performed last November by CBS Music. Solo arias have an operatic flavour, and a wide range of chorus settings give dramatic impact to the text, illustrating a mysterious but essential idea at the heart of church belief, and inspiring the dedication of other famous cathedrals, including Detroit and the Californian state capital – appropriately Sacramento. Soloists for this concert will be Emily-Jane Stockman, Hannah Ashford-Beck, Adrian Lowe and Matthew Harris.
Mozart’s last three symphonies were composed during 1788, and are regarded as his crowning glory. The Cathedral Orchestra, led by Henry Nicholson with principal cello Janet Cubey, will play the first of these magnificent works: Symphony 39 in Eb Major K.543. Although written at a particularly difficult time (his only daughter died two days after he completed the score), it is a monumental work, perhaps conceived as the first part of a trilogy, featuring a ceremonial opening, a richly coloured slow movement, a folksy minuet and a swirling finale derived stylistically from Haydn, the original master of symphonic form.
Another Christchurch Choral Festival is planned for 2 pm Sunday, 9 August, and the usual Haydn concert will be 2 pm, Sunday 6 September, featuring his Salve Regina, Symphony 98, and Heiligmesse. All Saints’ Day, Sunday November 1 at 2 pm will be marked by the Fauré Requiem, Cantique, and Bach’s Cantata 106 Actus Tragicus. The annual CBS Messiah will be at 1.30 pm on Sunday, December 6, and Christmas Midnight Mass will acknowledge the Weber bicentennial year with his beautiful Jubilee Mass.
Through 2026, CBS Music continues its popular Lunch Plus Wednesday At One recital series, with details of each weekly artist posted on their web page – cathedral.org.nz
The cathedral choir musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung each Sunday at the 11 a.m. Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7.30 pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at the Catholic Pro-Cathedral. Sight reading ability is expected. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.
