UK Cathedral Concerts in 2024

[Padmachou]

Big thanks and appreciation to those who have written reviews here.

So glad to see Oskar H back.

[...]

As per Luca’s recent YT videos it appears he is still more than capable of singing first or second treble (I know he’s 14 now) so I hoped he’d still get something to sing just like Mitchel does.

I don't think he can sing first treble anymore, the video he recently posted was clearly using the record from the album, but he has grown up a lot since. To me there is quite a mismatch between the voice and the grown-up boy on the video, to be honest. But I believe he can sing quite high still, sort of like what Daniel W did for some time.

I second you about Oskar H ! Glad to see him. Is there a new rule about Oscar and Oskar not being on stage at the same time ?

Thank you Surpinto for your answer ! To be clear, were the miniboys on stage full night or just some songs like last month ? Are they growing up sooo fast ?

[Surpinto]

Thank you Surpinto for your answer ! To be clear, were the miniboys on stage full night or just some songs like last month ? Are they growing up sooo fast ?

Just a few songs as usual. I didn't keep track of how many songs but it was a good bit, those certainly not all by far.

p.s. Surpinto, you should have gone to Wales anyway. Counting sheep might have helped with the insomnia.

[moviemadpat]

The Chester concert was, the usual brilliance and near perfection from Libera. I can't wait until Lincoln to do it all again.

The concert though leaves me to appeal to you all. To help stop the repeated displays of contempt for the Boys respect.

At Chester for the 3rd concert in a row I was sat behind someone who decided that the Boys request for the NO use of cameras during the performance, did not apply to him.

Fortunately this time despite the fact the disrespectful person was in the front row, when they attempted to take photos during a song, the gallant person next to him put his arm across the camera blocking the shot.

I almost stood and applauded that action.

I have noticed that more and more people are ignoring the appeals for respect. At Ely I was behind the same man, plus to my legt was a lady that repeatedly raised her phone during songs to film or take pictures.

I did report both people at Ely and the guy at Chester, but no one approached them to put a stop to it.

So I appeal to all the real fans on hear, those of us who do actually respect the Boys and the Libera group, please help stop this action that is becoming such an horrendous distraction that is a disgrace to the Boys who work so hard to make the performance the maximum enjoyment for their fans.

Just remember, it does not matter if you agree with their rules on photography or not, what does matter is they have set then rules and they should be respected without exception.

If you want pictures, support the cause by buying programmes and calenders etc.

So lets help block the cameras and report everyone who chooses to disrespect these incredible boys and their team.

[Cat-a-tonic]

Big thanks and appreciation to those who have written reviews here.

So glad to see Oskar H back.

Does anyone have a programme that they’re willing to post here?

Were there any solo/duet parts from any of the Bigs/seniors, other than Daniel?

As per Luca’s recent YT videos it appears he is still more than capable of singing first or second treble (I know he’s 14 now) so I hoped he’d still get something to sing just like Mitchel does.

Luca wasn't there at all. No idea if this was a one-off or if it's a permanent thing.

I have an (unsigned) programme. I'll see if I can work out how to post pictures of it on here.

[Mercurial909]

Luca wasn't there at all. No idea if this was a one-off or if it's a permanent thing.

Has to be the first concert he has missed since joining Libera. Hope all’s well and that his absence isn’t permanent. Same for Oscar J.


From this pic it looks as though Matty and Koji were back in the white robes.

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[SingForEver]

I don't really have a lot to add that hasn't been written already, but I'd also like to write a few words because it was such a pleasant concert in Chester.

"Sacris Solemnis" was one of the highlights for me. It was nice to be able to hear the different voices spread out on the stage, with the high notes on the left complementing the others parts in the center and on the right. One of the advantages of a concert besides seeing the boys performing live in front of you is the chance to hear details, nuances and layers that you didn't notice on the recordings in exactly the same way. Libera's compositions, arrangements and harmonies with multiple voices are really astonishingly intricate.

I am always happy to hear great classics like "Salva Me" live and I definitely appreciate it when less well-known compositions from Robert Prizeman's huge body of work like "Twilight" are being performed. I hope Libera will continue bringing back older songs. "Time" is a personal favorite that I would love to hear in a concert one day. I also really enjoyed the new songs however, particularly "Sea Bird" where the solo, the choir and the choreography worked great together and "The Lark's Last Song". Can't wait to hear all of them again on the new album.

Another personal highlight for me was "O Beata" which is just incredibly beautiful and had two soloists that perfectly fit together for the high and lower voice. Other highlights were "Angele Dei" which has a mystical kind of beauty, emphasized by the blue lighting, where Morgan delivered a perfect solo, and "Ave Maria" which was sung with so much dedication and skill by Lewis that it was profoundly touching.

Needless to say that the Hill brothers are currently excelling, so I hope we will have many years with them still to come. But of course it's the whole choir, including the non-soloists, mini-boys, the back row and the musicians who together create the incomparable Libera sound which is such a joy to experience.

[Citlec]

This is going to be a short review...

I don't really have a lot to add...

I appreciate both of your reviews. I haven't written much about Chester, which was simply because when I saw it was a copy, programme wise, of Ely I decided just to immerse myself in it and enjoy it and not think at all about "reviewing". So I have enjoyed what you both have written, because it helped to give me a few reminders and extra insights.

I've written in the past about the foibles of the various setups of stage, choir and musicians and the effect it has on the final product. Chester for me, is the best in terms of balance of musicians and choir, and where they were positioned. That includes the visual aspect, and, well I'm reticent about being insulting to the fantastic musicians, they do an amazing job! But in Chester, having them to the side made it more immersive to only have the choir in your line of sight. It felt like watching a DVD, but live, where every shot was the choir, backlit by some astounding natural lighting and architecture, or by a cleverly designed lightshow.

I absolutely loved just simply losing myself in the music and not getting distracted by minor audio quibbles, or even thinking about reviews, but simply drowning myself in the joy of the sound produced.

Chester was, well, absolutely fantastic.

p.s. Turns out you might see me in Lincoln, after all... #sorry #notsorry

[niels]

Hello all,
Just a small question,
Maybe some of you have a answer to it, I have little a time problem. I have to catch the last train at 10 p.m. for my return journey from Lincon. What time does the concert end approximately? If I know that then I can possibly make some kind of plan to work it all out

thank you in advance

[Citlec]

Hello all,
Just a small question,
Maybe some of you have a answer to it, I have little a time problem. I have to catch the last train at 10 p.m. for my return journey from Lincon. What time does the concert end approximately? If I know that then I can possibly make some kind of plan to work it all out

thank you in advance

So, I have it timed as finishing in Chester at 21.38pm. Perhaps others could confirm?

According to Google, Lincoln Station is an 18 minute walk away from the cathedral.

I've had this situation before, so I would suggest, if you are worried, that you...

A. When you arrive at the station, work out where the platform for the return journey is, and how you get there, is there a footbridge, a tunnel? Finding that out in advance will help reduce anxiety at the time. If you don't know where the return platform will be, ask some station staff, they are usually very helpful.
B. Time the walk from station to cathedral when you arrive. If it is uphill to the cathedral, it is likely to be quicker on the way back...
C. Keep an eye on the time during the concert, and if you are worried, duck out before the one-song encore. There is more than enough applause after Sing For Our World for you to extricate yourself without having to worry about disturbing anyone.
D. If you are still worried about timing, set yourself a time when you want to leave the cathedral to start your walk to the station and leave in the applause break closest to this time.

[niels]

So, I have it timed as finishing in Chester at 21.38pm. Perhaps others could confirm?

According to Google, Lincoln Station is an 18 minute walk away from the cathedral.

I've had this situation before, so I would suggest, if you are worried, that you...

A. When you arrive at the station, work out where the platform for the return journey is, and how you get there, is there a footbridge, a tunnel? Finding that out in advance will help reduce anxiety at the time.
B. Time the walk from station to cathedral when you arrive. If it is uphill to the cathedral, it is likely to be quicker on the way back...
C. Keep an eye on the time during the concert, and if you are worried, duck out before the one-song encore. There is more than enough applause after Sing For Our World for you to extricate yourself without having to worry about disturbing anyone.
D. If you are still worried about timing, set yourself a time when you want to leave the cathedral to start your walk to the station and leave in the applause break closest to this time.

Thank you for your tips. plan b and c might be possible the best to do.

(And running for 18 minutes is not my fitness )

[Citlec]

Thank you for your tips. plan b and c might be possible the best to do.

(And running for 18 minutes is not my fitness )

You're welcome. I know the angst that a tight connection to get home can create. I have had to jog to Ely station after a Libera concert and then run, (which is not one of my favourite things to do) to make a connection at Cambridge!

Chances are, if your train is after 10pm, that just walking back normally after a full concert will be ok. But I entirely understand the desire to remove that anxiety. If you check the walk time, and plan to leave before the encore. Or at least to say "this is the latest time I feel comfortable leaving the cathedral" then at least you know where you are.

[Citlec]

Is it just me, or are hills steeper than they were 20 years ago...?

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Needed a recovery beer after that climb!

[Cat-a-tonic]

Just got back from my first ever Libera concert. Will try to post a review or some more detailed thoughts soon but for now all I can say is Wow!!!! And that I'm so happy I finally got to see them live.

Oh wow! Are you coming to Lincoln? If you are please do make yourself known somehow. Would love to say hello!

Unfortunately not. My budget will currently only run to one concert and Chester was most convenient. Hope everyone who's going has a great time.

[Citlec]

Maybe I'm jumping the gun, maybe hiking (twice!) up THAT hill, has left me light headed and addled...

But I'm going to say it! I think that might just be the best Libera concert I have ever attended.

Every element perfect. Staging, musicians, cathedral architecture, lighting, singing, acoustics. Just brilliant in every way.

Also I genuinely welled up when Joseph sang those first notes from atop the choir screen. It was magical...

Wish me luck on my late night journey back to Londinium, and see you all in Sinfonia Smith Square.

[Mercurial909]

Why does it look like they’ve all grown up so quickly…?

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