stalbanslife

Last year, an ambitious new opera came to St Albans, premiering in the Abbey, the opera told the little known story of Alban himself, the first English martyr. After a sell out run, Alban the Opera is travelling to London for four nights only in October this year before heading to the US in 2011. A community opera mixing top professionals with enthusiasts and amateurs, Alban was written deliberately to include a large adult chorus. There are still a few places available in the group chorus for the London performances – a fantastic chance to share the stage with the likes of top opera professionals Louise Mott and Philip Salmon in the beautiful environs of St Alban the Martyr in Holborn. The performances are from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd October and the time commitment for rehearsals is very reasonable.
Hazel Ireson, producer of Alban, said: “This really is a once in a lifetime’s experience – it is such an exciting project working with professionals with the highest artistic standards. The choruses are a vital part of the fast moving story and we’re really looking forward to welcoming new singers to be part of this fantastic event.”
The opera tells the story of Alban, a doctor and family man, living in Roman occupied Verulamium (later St Albans) when, one night, he is interrupted by a knock on his door. The decision Alban makes that fateful night begins a chain reaction ending in the destruction of a man and the heartbreak of his family. The dramatic and fast moving story is told using intimate scenes of family life interspersed with great crowd choruses in market places and court rooms, with the audience joining in at the climax of the opera.
Those who are interested in taking part are invited to visit www.albanopera.org.uk, email Hazel directly on admin@albanopera.org.uk or phone 01582 832312

Alban is performed nightly at 7.30pm at St Alban the Martyr, Brooke Street, London EC1N 7RD from Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 October.

Tickets cost £16 and £8 for children under 16 and can be booked over the telephone on 0844 412 4317 or online at www.albanopera.org.uk .

Tickets can also be purchased in person from the Peacock Theatre, WC2.

Today Pope Benedict XVI has landed in Scotland for the first of a four day state visit to the UK. Although St Albans won’t be graced by his presence, many local catholics are set to see him in London. 

St Albans however, did play a part in papal affairs as a local boy Nicholas Breakspear,attended St Albans School in the 12th century, before taking off to Europe and later become Pope Adrian IV . He was the only Englishman to become pope.

His birthplace is marked by a small memorial stone in Bedmond Village  and his father, Robert Breakspear, is buried at  St Albans Cathedral. Local secondary school, Nicholas Breakspear, is called after him as are many of the road names in St Albans and Abbots Langley.

For more information on Pope Adrian IV (Nicholas Breakspear) click, http://hertfordshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/pope-nicholas-breakspear-from-farmhouse-to-vatican-14536/

Info on St Albans School http://www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk/

Pope Benedict’s visit to UK  www.thepapalvisit.org.uk  or facebook.com/papalvisit

This is actually my first ever blog and it is a great honour to be writing it for a website such as stalbanslife, as I consider this city very special and think that the website will reflect all that is good (and sometimes not-so-good) about it.

Yesterday, as I wandered across the Verulamium with two of my children, I wanted to photograph so many aspects of it; the scene of the lake with its swans, the River Ver, the ancient Fighting Cocks Pub, the rise up to the truly magnificent Cathedral (Abbey) of St Albans!

I wonder if everyone has that same connection and sense of belonging that I feel while sitting in the Cathedral. Whether it’s an official event going on or a quiet Saturday afternoon, it gives me a sense of awe. I feel the past meet the present here. When the choirs practice, its like magic in the air from the floors to the ceiling. The Christmas festivities are really worth coming for, if you want to be moved to tears. Personally, I like to ponder on the fact that Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) swung across the altar here during the making of Johnny English.

Anyway, the point I want to make is that this majestic city, with its amazing history, its churches, cafes, restaurants, museums, pubs and parks, is good enough to share with the rest of the world. And stalbanslife is hoping to do just that!

In this current climate of recession, residents of St Albans were happy to have the opportunity to visit the top attractions for free! There were numerous themed guided walks / tours available e.g. Ghost walk, Crime and Punishment walk and the Cathedral Tower Tours. The Abbey also held an exhibition of the vestments. Here you had the opportunity to see the amazing handwork close up as well as speak to the ladies who were responsible for some of them.

Those who were at the Abbey around Saturday lunchtime would have been fortunate enough to encounter the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, St Albans Choir and soloists rehearsing for their evening concert.

Restaurants took part by offering discounts or free wine and desserts with meals. Attractions such as Redbournbury Water Mill, The Roman Theatre and The Clock Tower were free to enter.

This weekend was well worth the visit, even if it’s to sit by the clock tower, watch the people in droves walk around our historic city and listen to the music of the buskers.