Cuore Chamber Choir and conductor Amy Ryan returned to the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin to sing our first ever Choral Evensong.
Our service music included the Irish premiere of the complete St. John’s Service by Irish composer Laura Sheils. We were delighted that the composer was able to join us in the congregation for this service.
Commissioned by St John’s Choir, Cambridge, and their director Christopher Gray, it was first heard in St John’s Chapel in November 2025. The Magnificat is an energetic, dance-like setting, moving between 7/8 and 4/4 as it captures Mary’s joyful song of praise, while the Nunc Dimittis is more serene, with a prominent pedal D and gently unresolved harmonies creating a sense of mystery and contemplation.
The service also included responses by Thomas Tallis, a psalm chant by Foster, and the anthem was Heinrich SchĂĽtz’s Calicem salutaris accipiam. Our organist was Tom Little, Director of Music at the cathedral.
