The first Verdi trip spread the invitation to choirs from Nottingham and Leicester , and we also included a French and German Choir !
In 2017, Southwell and Bingham Choral Societies became involved as well as Wirksworth Community Choir and singers from Bakewell, Burton, Sheffield and Burton Joyce. One of the comments often heard was how great it was to make new friends and spend time with other singers.
In June 2017 we travelled to France again.
This time we performed the Requiem twice, with Chartres as the second venue. Apart from a thunderstorm, it was amazing to explore the city and especially the Cathedral. Our visit coincided with the famous Labyrinth being uncovered for pilgrims. Also, when the sun did shine, the colour in the stained glass was breathtaking.
Equity had arranged for 1 bus to come home a day later than the other 3, which gave some of us a chance to enjoy more exploring in Paris. The atmosphere of friendship grew through this extra day, and by the time we arrived back in England, not only had a Lunch Party been arranged in September, but the cries of 'What & Where next?' were too loud to ignore.
Photographs from the performance of Verdi's Requiem in La Madeleine, Paris, 3rd June 2017