Easter concert for Catholic Cathedral in Port of Spain

A concert titled Sacred Classics, Hymns and Spirituals will fill the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain with inspirational music on Easter Sunday.

The concert, produced by impresario John Thomas, is being held under the patronage of Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon and will bring to life the message of hope, peace and love to all, a media release said.

Performances will come from some 24 artistes including: soprano Clarice Beeput, spinto-soprano Lesley Lewis, mezzo soprano Hermina Charles, tenor John Thomas, tenor Jake Salloum, baritone Aaron-Mark Alleyne.

The evening's performances will be accompanied by a live orchestra conducted by Boyd Gibson and includes pianist Eunmi Choi, a string quartet (Pierre Leiba, Inge Schluer, David Webber and Chelsea Fensom), flautist Martina Chow, trumpeter Rellon Brown, guitarist Judah Bharath and The Lydian Steel Ensemble (Tonya Perouze, Joseph Knights, Astra Noel, Kwesi Moore and Dennis Roberts)

Thomas said in the release that preparations for the event are apace and safety and health precautions are also being give high priority.

“The preparations for the concert aren’t just rehearsals with singers and musicians. We are taking every precaution to keep all our patrons safe as the church will be fully sanitised before the show. Security will be on site, ample secured parking is made available and a trained fleet of ushers, led by Linda Mentor, will be on site to conduct all covid19 protocols," Thomas said.

He said the event will also provide some income for the artistes who have been hit by hard the coronavirus pandemic.

“This pandemic has been devastating for many of us. Amongst the hardest hit economically have been artists, creatives and those who provide the infrastructure for artists and creatives. This concert provides not only some sort of income for our performers, but also gives us a space to do what we were created to do. For this we are eternally grateful.”

The cathedral will be specially decorated for the event by Alison Lee Loy, with state-of-the art lighting by Sean Ottley which will be supplied by Lollabee Entertainment, and sound mixed by Victor Donawa.

The inspirational evening will feature soulful music, classics and more for all audiences, with favourites Panis Angelicus, Jesu Joy and the timeless Our Father, among many selections geared toward lifting the audience's spirits.

Limited tickets are available for the 90-minute concert at which there will be no intermission. The concert begins at 5 pm but patrons are asked to arrive at 4 pm due to necessary covid protocols.

For more info: 490-5316 or visit Kitchen Korner Long Circular, Arts & Antiques West Mall, O Fudge Trincity Mall and C3 Centre, Living Waters Book Shop, The Dominican Book Centre at St Finbar’s RC, Archbishop’s House (office) and the cathedral's office, Independence Square, Port of Spain.

Part proceeds goes to the Cathedral Restoration Fund.