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The centrepiece of CCC’s celebrations for the Coronation of King Charles III is Friday evening’s special Coronation Gala Concert, featuring a complete performance of George Frideric Handel’s four “Coronation Anthems,” sung by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir and Young Choristers, with orchestra, all under the direction of Donald Hunt.  

Rounding out the program will be other repertoire appropriate for Coronation Eve, including a Handel organ concerto, featuring our own keyboard virtuoso Mark McDonald, and Parry’s “I Was Glad,” first sung at the coronation of Edward VII.  The choir will sing the newly commissioned “vivats” – Latin acclamations wishing long life to King Charles and Queen Camilla – just as they will be heard the next morning in Westminster Abbey!  

While Buckingham Palace is sorting out the final details of seating for the Coronation itself, our dedicated front-of-house team, led by Janice Wheatley, are finalizing the seating plan for our distinguished guests:  the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable Janet Austin; the Chair of the Victoria branch of the Monarchist League of Canada, Lieutenant-Commander Gene Fedderly, RCN (Ret’d); Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific; and Captain (Navy) Jeffrey Hutchinson, Base Commander, CFB Esquimalt. 

Meanwhile, up in the bell tower, Tower Captain David Oliver and the Cathedral Guild of Bell Ringers are getting ready to announce the occasion across the city.  Bells are a traditional part of royal celebrations, and our band is proud to play its part.  Not only will they ring on Friday evening before the gala, but on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm, they will salute the newly crowned king with a quarter-peal: a demanding sequence of 1288 changes.  

Our observance of the coronation continues on Sunday with special prayers and music at all services.  At 11 am, the mass setting will be by William Henry Harris (former organist at St George's, Windsor) and the anthem will be Handel’s “The King Shall Rejoice.”  

A particular highlight will be at Evensong, when the choir premieres a brand-new coronation anthem, entitled “The Mountains Shall Bring Peace,” commissioned by the Royal School of Church Music from composer Joanna Forbes L’Estrange.  The text is drawn from Psalms 72 and 149: “Give the King thy judgement, O God, and thy righteousness unto the King’s son.  He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgement.”  

Gala tickets are $25 general admission; $10 for students, available now at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/handel-the-coronation-anthems-tickets-596356657817 and at the door.  

There are only a handful of Supporter Tickets left, and these are only available in advance.  Priced at $100, they entitle holders to preferred seating and a reception afterwards, and include a $60 charitable tax receipt.  

It’s the perfect way to start the coronation weekend.  And remember: all proceeds from this unique event benefit the Cathedral’s operating budget!