SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
In light of the restrictions imposed because of the corona virus crisis, the 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe was cancelled, and with it, the 2020 Sacred Arts Festival. Our performers and participants had agreed to defer the whole programme for a year, but continuing restrictions and uncertainties made this impossible. So some of the major events have been deferred again until 2022. While the 2021 Sacred Arts Festival had to be more limited than originally planned, it proved possible to assemble sequence of interesting events during the week15th-21st August 2021.
In light of the restrictions imposed because of the corona virus crisis, the 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe was cancelled, and with it, the 2020 Sacred Arts Festival. Our performers and participants had agreed to defer the whole programme for a year, but continuing restrictions and uncertainties made this impossible. So some of the major events have been deferred again until 2022. While the 2021 Sacred Arts Festival had to be more limited than originally planned, it proved possible to assemble sequence of interesting events during the week15th-21st August 2021.
Sunday 16th August, 2020
10.30am Sacred Arts Festival @ Old St Paul's Church, Jeffrey Street
Sacred Arts Festival Opening Service
HIGH MASS
for the Feast of the Assumption
INTROIT: Blessed is she who has believed FRANCES MATTHEWS
MASS SETTING: Westminster Mass JAMES MACMILLAN
ANTHEM: Salve Regina GABRIEL JACKSON
Director of Music: John P Kitchen MBE
GUEST PREACHER: Rt Revd ANNE DYER
Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney
Sacred Arts Festival Opening Service
HIGH MASS
for the Feast of the Assumption
INTROIT: Blessed is she who has believed FRANCES MATTHEWS
MASS SETTING: Westminster Mass JAMES MACMILLAN
ANTHEM: Salve Regina GABRIEL JACKSON
Director of Music: John P Kitchen MBE
GUEST PREACHER: Rt Revd ANNE DYER
Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney
7.30pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
J S Bach Liebster Gott
Vivaldi Gloria
J S Bach Orchestral Suite no. 2 in B minor
Coro Vincenzo
Director Les Shankland
Leader Ruth Slater
Les Shankland has worked extensively with many choral and instrumental groups throughout Scotland. He co-founded Pocket Opera, an amateur company that specializes in taking small-scale opera performances to rural venues, and for two years was musical director of Edinburgh Grand Opera. He is Director of Music at St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge, and musical director of the Chapter House Singers.
Tickets £15 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
J S Bach Liebster Gott
Vivaldi Gloria
J S Bach Orchestral Suite no. 2 in B minor
Coro Vincenzo
Director Les Shankland
Leader Ruth Slater
Les Shankland has worked extensively with many choral and instrumental groups throughout Scotland. He co-founded Pocket Opera, an amateur company that specializes in taking small-scale opera performances to rural venues, and for two years was musical director of Edinburgh Grand Opera. He is Director of Music at St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge, and musical director of the Chapter House Singers.
Tickets £15 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
Monday 17th August
11am -4pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"The Art of Illumination" a week-long exhibition by Helen White
Illumination (the use of gold or other metals to embellish a painting), is an art which has its roots in the beautiful manuscripts produced in medieval times. Contemporary illuminator, Helen White, uses the same gilding techniques as her medieval predecessors, and her work is frequently inspired by medieval designs: sources include wood- and stone-carvings, tiles, fabrics, paintings, architecture and glass. Like the medieval craftsmen, she also looks to Creation for inspiration. Geometry underpins Creation - from the tiniest flower (and smaller) to the movement of the planets - and is a reflection of the beauty of Divine order. Using geometric proportions helps give harmony to designs. Helen delights in fine detail, and often introduces tiny jewels such as sapphires, amethysts and pearls into her work. This exhibition will include some of her 'illuminated rose windows', as well as her most recent work: a set of ' illuminated meditations'.
"The Art of Illumination" a week-long exhibition by Helen White
Illumination (the use of gold or other metals to embellish a painting), is an art which has its roots in the beautiful manuscripts produced in medieval times. Contemporary illuminator, Helen White, uses the same gilding techniques as her medieval predecessors, and her work is frequently inspired by medieval designs: sources include wood- and stone-carvings, tiles, fabrics, paintings, architecture and glass. Like the medieval craftsmen, she also looks to Creation for inspiration. Geometry underpins Creation - from the tiniest flower (and smaller) to the movement of the planets - and is a reflection of the beauty of Divine order. Using geometric proportions helps give harmony to designs. Helen delights in fine detail, and often introduces tiny jewels such as sapphires, amethysts and pearls into her work. This exhibition will include some of her 'illuminated rose windows', as well as her most recent work: a set of ' illuminated meditations'.
Opening Talk @ 11am
"The Illuminator's Art"
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door.
There will be a second opportunity to hear this talk at 11am on Saturday 22nd August
"The Illuminator's Art"
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door.
There will be a second opportunity to hear this talk at 11am on Saturday 22nd August
Helen White is a professional artist who uses traditional methods of working. She teaches at The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts. Visitors to her exhibitions have commented on her work as being "Beautiful and peaceful'", "Absolutely stunning'' "Exquisite craftsmanship".
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
1.15-2.15 Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
Olivier Messiaen's
Quartet for the End of Time
Calum Robertson, Director and Clarinet
Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, for clarinet, violin, cello and piano was written when Messiaen was a prisoner of war in German captivity and first performed in 1941 by fellow prisoners. Inspired by verses from the Book of Revelation, it is widely regarded as one of Messiaen’s most important works.
Tickets £10 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
Tuesday 18th August
10am - 4pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
1.15-2.15 pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"The Art of Hymns"
John P. Kitchen MBE
Edinburgh City Organist
Many hymns are artistic gems, but familiarity leads to their musical and poetic brilliance being overlooked, and unfamiliarity leads to its being ignored. John Kitchen MBE, is uniquely well placed to uncover the great art that is to be found in hymns. Well known as a virtuoso organist, choral director and early music scholar, his extensive recording portfolio of organ and harpsichord music is highly regarded. He is Edinburgh City Organist, University Organist and Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, and Director of Music at Old Saint Paul's Episcopal Church. He was appointed MBE in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Tickets £5 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
"The Art of Hymns"
John P. Kitchen MBE
Edinburgh City Organist
Many hymns are artistic gems, but familiarity leads to their musical and poetic brilliance being overlooked, and unfamiliarity leads to its being ignored. John Kitchen MBE, is uniquely well placed to uncover the great art that is to be found in hymns. Well known as a virtuoso organist, choral director and early music scholar, his extensive recording portfolio of organ and harpsichord music is highly regarded. He is Edinburgh City Organist, University Organist and Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, and Director of Music at Old Saint Paul's Episcopal Church. He was appointed MBE in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Tickets £5 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
5 -8 pm in Sacred Arts Festival @ New College on the Mound, Martin Hall
FAITH in FILM
"Departures"
"Departures"
Departures is a Japanese drama directed by Yōjirō Takita. A young man returns to his hometown having failed to make a career as a cellist, and takes a job as a traditional Japanese ritual mortician. He experiences the effect of social taboos against people who deal with death. Eventually beauty and dignity enable him to overcome this negativity.
In 2008 Departures won a grand prize at the Montreal World Film Festival, and subsequently Picture of the Year in Japan. In 2009, it became the first Japanese production to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
This screening will include a brief introduction, and will be followed by a discussion between an expert panel and the audience.
This screening is organized in conjunction with the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Edinburgh.
Free admission by ticket at the Fringe Box Office and the door. Donations invited
In 2008 Departures won a grand prize at the Montreal World Film Festival, and subsequently Picture of the Year in Japan. In 2009, it became the first Japanese production to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
This screening will include a brief introduction, and will be followed by a discussion between an expert panel and the audience.
This screening is organized in conjunction with the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Edinburgh.
Free admission by ticket at the Fringe Box Office and the door. Donations invited
Wednesday 19th August
10am - 4pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
10am-4pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"Faith in Fabrics"
an exhibition of
Church Vestments
and
Ecclesiastical Embroidery
TALKS
11am-12 noon Rt Revd Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews
"The Art of Vestments"
2.30-3.30 Zoe van Zwanenberg
"The Art of Embroidery"
Free admission to the Exhibition (donations invited).
Tickets for each talk £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door.
Sponsored by the Diocese of Edinburgh.
Thursday 20th August
10am - 4pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
1.15-2.15. Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
Sir James MacMIllan, composer, in conversation
"Composing Sacred Music for a Secular World",
with the REID CONSORT
Sir James MacMillan is Scotland's most celebrated living composer. He has long combined his compositional gifts with his commitment to Catholic Christianity. In this lunchtime event, he will talk about his compositions as and expression of the relationship between faith and art, and the possibilities for sacred music in a world where the Church is no longer a major presence. The conversation will be interspersed by some of his compositions, performed by singers from the Reid Consort.
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
Sir James MacMIllan, composer, in conversation
"Composing Sacred Music for a Secular World",
with the REID CONSORT
Sir James MacMillan is Scotland's most celebrated living composer. He has long combined his compositional gifts with his commitment to Catholic Christianity. In this lunchtime event, he will talk about his compositions as and expression of the relationship between faith and art, and the possibilities for sacred music in a world where the Church is no longer a major presence. The conversation will be interspersed by some of his compositions, performed by singers from the Reid Consort.
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
7.30pm Sacred Art Festival @ St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral
Pizzetti Messa di Requiem and
MacMillan Miserere
Cole Bendall and the Reid Consort
Cole Bendall's work as a conductor and vocal coach has been lauded across the United Kingdom, and in 2017 he was awarded the Association of British Choral Directors Andrew Potter Bursary for emerging conductors. In addition to the Reid Consort, a pre-professional vocal ensemble based in Scotland, he directs the Surrey County Youth Choir. The many other groups with whom he has worked include the North London Chorus, Covent Garden Sinfonia, Hallé Youth Orchestra and university ensembles in St Andrews, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Tickets £15 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
Friday 21st August
10am - 4pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
11am - 12noon Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
The present moment of the past:
Christian poetry as perpetual renewal
Malcolm Guite
Malcolm Guite is a poet-priest and Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge. He travels extensively in Great Britain, and North America, giving lectures, concerts and poetry readings, and is the author of eight books.
"Malcolm Guite has established himself as one of the leading Christian poets of our time" -- Jeremy Begbie, Duke University
"Malcolm Guite knows exactly how to use the sonnet form to powerful effect" ---. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
The present moment of the past:
Christian poetry as perpetual renewal
Malcolm Guite
Malcolm Guite is a poet-priest and Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge. He travels extensively in Great Britain, and North America, giving lectures, concerts and poetry readings, and is the author of eight books.
"Malcolm Guite has established himself as one of the leading Christian poets of our time" -- Jeremy Begbie, Duke University
"Malcolm Guite knows exactly how to use the sonnet form to powerful effect" ---. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
1.15-2.15 Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
Scottish Religious Art in Paint and Glass:
The story of Robert Scott Lauder’s
“Christ Teacheth Humility”
Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director of European and Scottish Art,
Lesley Stevenson, Senior Paintings Conservator,
Dr Freya Spoor, Assistant Curator, 'Celebrating Scotland's Art':
National Galleries of Scotland
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
Scottish Religious Art in Paint and Glass:
The story of Robert Scott Lauder’s
“Christ Teacheth Humility”
Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director of European and Scottish Art,
Lesley Stevenson, Senior Paintings Conservator,
Dr Freya Spoor, Assistant Curator, 'Celebrating Scotland's Art':
National Galleries of Scotland
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
Saturday 22nd August
10am- 3.15pm Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
Talk @ 11am
"The Illuminator's Art"
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
"The Art of Illumination" . Exhibition by Helen White
Talk @ 11am
"The Illuminator's Art"
Tickets £8 from the Fringe Box Office and at the door
3.30 Sacred Arts Festival @ St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge
Choral Evensong
Choral Evensong
The Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts gratefully acknowledged financial support from
The Binks Trust
The Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation
The Binks Trust
The Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation