Festal Evensong

With music by Charles Villiers Stanford, we invite you to an intimate and meditative moment for all senses with traditional Evensong. The Irishman Villiers Stanford, who lived from 1852 to 1924, played a crucial role as a composer and teacher in the development of English choral music. Many of his hymns are still performed daily in Anglican churches worldwide.

Evensong, or evening prayer, has been celebrated in the Anglican Church since the mid-16th century. The approximately 45-minute long service is traditionally held every day at sunset to mark the passing of another day.

The modern Evensong service is based on the Anglican Church’s Book of Common Prayer. The backbone consists of the Psalms and the great New Testament canticles – the Magnificat and the Nunc dimittis. Most of the service is sung by the choir, but the congregation is invited to participate in common prayers and hymns.

Evensong is still celebrated daily in many cathedrals throughout Britain.

In Sweden, evening prayer emerged after the Reformation but usually took place only on Saturday evenings as a vesper.

Program
John Sanders Introit and Responses
C.V. Stanford Magnificat & Nunc dimittis in C major, Op. 115
C.V. Stanford Ye choirs of New Jerusalem, Op. 123

Stockholm Cathedral Singers
Mattias Wager organ
Johan Hammarström conductor
Jonas Eek liturgist

Please note that no large bags, backpacks, or suitcases are allowed in the church!