In a secular salute to the new monarch of Great Britain, ten poets and ten composers were invited to create a suite of modern madrigals, modeled after the collection for Elizabeth I that was published in 1601. The resulting tribute was titled “A Garland for the Queen,” and first performed on the eve of the Coronation in 1953. Although individual movements have been sung in St. Louis before now, never before has the complete suite been presented in St. Louis. However, in recognition of Elizabeth’s 100th birthday (she was born 21st April 1926), the Chamber Chorus performs all ten madrigals, complemented by similar tributes by William Byrd, Vaughan Williams and the Nigerian composer, Vincent Chinemelu.
A highlight of this concert will be a new commission from a British woman composer, Sasha Johnson Manning, that sets Psalm 90, one of whose verses, “thou art come to three score years and ten,” is particularly appropriate as the Chamber Chorus is currently celebrating its seventieth season, matching Elizabeth II’s reign of seven decades. Johnson Manning is flying here from England for the premiere, and concertgoers will be able to meet and greet the composer at the performance on Sunday, 19th April at 3 pm in that most English of St. Louis churches, Christ Church Cathedral downtown, at 1210 Locust St.