Sydney Open 2017 makes history with a special concert in Australia’s oldest cathedral: Music under Blacket

Sydney Open showcases some of the city’s most historic buildings – and this weekend the Cathedral Church of St Andrew presents hands-on tours, a concert of beautiful music and an archival display, each offering rare insights into the Cathedral’s 198-year history.

While the “Secret Spaces” and “Bellringing Experience” Focus Tours, offering bespoke visits inside the Hill & Son’s Organ and the Cathedral’s belltower, sold out in record time, all Sydney Open ticket holders still have the opportunity to hear a wonderful concert by the world-famous St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir of Boys and Men.

The Music under Blacket concert, performed from 1:15pm – 1:45pm on Sunday 5 November, offers a perfectly timed opportunity for those Sydney Open visitors to rest their feet – yet open their eyes and ears – whist continuing to navigate the building’s history through music!

Music under Blacket is included on the Sydney Open program at no additional charge.  It will feature a selection of hymns and anthems that have been played in the Cathedral for Royal visitors and at special services to mark national occasions - from Parry’s magisterial ‘I Was Glad’, as well as the first piece performed in the cathedral in 1868, through to songs performed to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit on Easter Day in 2014.

Ross Cobb, Director of Music and President of the Royal School of Church Music Australia, will also give a brief explanation of each piece, its musical provenance and its place in the Choir’s illustrious history. The Choir first sang at the laying of the Cathedral’s Foundation Stone in 1819, making it the oldest continuous musical group in the southern hemisphere.  

One of the programs included in the Cathedral’s archival display is the Order of Service from the Eleventh Annual Festival of the Sydney Diocesan Church Choir Association – a service held at the Cathedral on Thursday 17 October 1895, the Eve of the Feast of St Luke’s. 

There is also a beautiful, but fragile, red leather bound score of Handel’s Messiah – an attendance award presented to then Chorister Beaufort Lynch in 1898.  The Choir still sings this magnificent music in the Cathedral at a concert performance on Good Friday every year.

The newest item on display will be the service sheet from the morning service this Sunday – the annual Remembrance Day service. Flagbearers representing the Army, Navy and Airforce will lead the traditional procession of the Choir into Blacket’s carved English Oak choirstalls.  The Royal Navy Band will also provide moving moments such as the Last Post and Reverie.  

This year will be extra special with the Choir singing the first performance of They shall grow not old, a new anthem by illustrious Australian composer June Nixon AM – adding to the Cathedral’s impressive history.

Always open – always free

St Andrew’s Cathedral, centrally located beside town Hall, is always open to the general public at various times each week.  Those not planning to participate in Sydney Open this year can still experience the poignant Remembrance Day service that will be held in the Cathedral this Sunday morning from 10:30am.

Please visit the Cathedral’s website for opening hours and regular services.  Music at the Cathedral includes organ recitals, band calls, carol services and Bach Cantatas.  The choir sings on Sunday mornings, and offers a traditional evensong twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. All services are free - all welcome!

Sydney Open Hours

St Andrew’s Cathedral, and the archival display, will be accessible to all Sydney Open ticket holders from 1pm - 4pm on Sunday 5 November 2017.  Plus, the amazing Upper Chapter House will be open from 1pm until 2.30pm on Sunday 5 November 2017.

For Sydney Open tickets, please visit: https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen/buy-tickets

History on display

Under its spectacular roof, upheld by numerous soaring sandstone pillars, St Andrew’s Cathedral (officially the Cathedral Church of St Andrew) has several items of historical significance on permanent display – including Bishop Broughton’s Chair and the Great Bible of 1539.

“These items are part of our city’s history”, said The Rev. Canon Chris Allan, Sub Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral.  “We have a team of welcomers at the Cathedral who can explain to visitors our historic stained glass windows, and point out items of historical significance.  Everyone is welcome to join in one of our many services, or to just pop in and explore the building during our regular opening hours.”

“For Sydney Open we have curated a display of items from the Cathedral’s archives – many which are rarely on public display - including original architectural sketches, the plans for the tapestries of Bishop Broughton’s chair and other intricate needlepoint items, guest books signed by visiting Royalty and historic service sheets – some dating back to the late 1800s,” said Canon Allan.

The Cathedral is also hoping that final repairs to the original paper and cardboard model of the Cathedral – first presented to Bishop Broughton in 1849 – will be completed to allow it be returned to public display during Sydney Open 2017.  This amazingly detailed and fragile model, unfortunately damaged in 2015, has been carefully restored, and while showing some wear and tear, as to be expected after 168 years, it still effectively showcases the intricate architectural details of the Cathedral.

This delicate model epitomizes Edmund Thomas Blacket’s original vision for the Cathedral – and by omission highlights some of the more recent additions – such as the George Street access, added in 1941, or the likeness of Reverend Boak Jobbins, Dean of Sydney in the 1990s, caved into the roofline by stonemasons working on the building’s repair, at the turn of this Century, to mark his dedication to the Cathedral’s restoration.

Earlier stonemasons were responsible for many other extraordinary design elements on both the exterior and the interior of the Cathedral. When entering the Cathedral, visitors are encouraged to look up – not just to admire the exquisite hammer beam roof, but to discover the names of six Bishops of Australia, those who met in the Cathedral in 1850, which are ornately carved into the Cathedral’s internal columns.

A number of commemorative plaques and memorials are also displayed on the majestic sandstone walls – including the Cathedral’s foundation stone, moved from where it was first laid in Sydney Square in 1819.

St Andrew’s Cathedral is located on the corner of George and Bathurst Streets, Sydney (Beside Town Hall, Above Town Hall Station) http://www.sydneycathedral.com                                

“From the cradle of these choirstalls some of Australia’s finest musical talent has flourished, performing and staring in some of the world’s greatest opera houses and concert halls.” Ross Cobb, Director Music, St Andrews Cathedral, Sydney