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FLOURISH • OCTOBER <strong>2012</strong> ARTS 25 Charity concert a dream tribute to Archbishop Conti AMONG my collection <strong>of</strong> books is a very old paperback copy <strong>of</strong> The Dream <strong>of</strong> Gerontius by Blessed John Henry Newman. The name Gerontius comes from ‘geron’, meaning ‘old man’, and Newman’s epic poem tells the story <strong>of</strong> his soul’s journey after death. Morbid stuff – you might say! Don’t be fooled! Charged with dramatic images and imbued with a soothing theology <strong>of</strong> God’s mercy, Newman’s poem has stood the test <strong>of</strong> time and inspired another great masterpiece when Edward Elgar set it to music in 1900. This month, around 300 performers will take part in a charity concert <strong>of</strong> Elgar’s The Dream <strong>of</strong> Gerontius at the Bute Hall in <strong>Glasgow</strong> University. They come from east and west, and include members <strong>of</strong> the Bearsden Choir, the Blessed John Henry Newman Academy <strong>of</strong> Sacred Music, the University Chapel Choir and Scottish Sinfonia. It is conducted by Neil Mantle MBE and is undoubtedly the biggest single event that AGAP has been involved with and is testimony to the goodwill <strong>of</strong> a great many people that it has come about. As well as raising money for SCIAF and ACES (Aid to Children in El Salvador), the event will mark two important occasions in the life <strong>of</strong> AGAP: the retirement <strong>of</strong> Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti and the beginning <strong>of</strong> the Year <strong>of</strong> Faith. For several years, Archbishop Conti has dreamed about having a performance <strong>of</strong> Elgar’s masterpiece as an archdiocesan event but with so many performers required and such a large venue needed, the task seemed nigh impossible. However, a chance conversation with music events organiser Elise Kelly, following Evelina Puzaite’s outstanding piano recital at Lentfest 2011, brought about a chain <strong>of</strong> events that have brought the dream to life. The concert will be a tribute to Archbishop Conti’s contribution to the arts and a retirement gift from the artistic community to him. The performers, from various backgrounds and faith traditions, are giving <strong>of</strong> their time and energy out <strong>of</strong> love. For some, it will be the realisation <strong>of</strong> a personal ambition to perform this great musical work, for others it is a chance to put their talents at the service <strong>of</strong> the common good through charity, and for many it a way to say “thank you” to an Archbishop whose episcopate was characterised by a belief in the salvific power <strong>of</strong> the arts and a passion for visible Christian unity. However, only about half <strong>of</strong> Newman’s original poem is used in the libretto for Elgar’s composition. So, to allow more people to appreciate the beauty <strong>of</strong> the poem, AGAP has organised two other events with a ‘Gerontius’ theme. Our annual schools art competition allows secondary school pupils the chance to Stephen Callaghan, director <strong>of</strong> AGAP, tells what’s on during Arts in Autumn Archbishop Conti got AGAP <strong>of</strong>f the ground contemplate the poem’s themes and compete for some great prizes courtesy <strong>of</strong> our sponsors Dignity Funerals. Also, at the end <strong>of</strong> the month, AGAP Community Theatre will visit four parishes to perform a dramatised reading <strong>of</strong> the entire poem, presented by a cast <strong>of</strong> about 12 actors from across the archdiocese. For those taking part in these events, there is not only the chance to perform, but also a personal catechetical journey through the themes <strong>of</strong> death, judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory. Newman’s vision is inspirational, as the Guardian Angel leads the soul into the “cooling waters <strong>of</strong> Purgatory” and promises to “wake him on the morrow”. Perhaps there is no more appropriate way to begin the Year <strong>of</strong> Faith than by contemplating the ultimate journey <strong>of</strong> the soul. AGAP’s Arts in Autumn programme begins with a one-<strong>of</strong>f performance <strong>of</strong> visiting theatre production, Vergine Madre, based upon another great vision <strong>of</strong> the afterlife: Dante’s Divine Comedy. Perhaps these two great Catholic literary treasures will inspire further contemplation <strong>of</strong> the mystery <strong>of</strong> our faith. VERGINE MADRE Friday 12th <strong>October</strong>; <strong>Glasgow</strong> University Memorial Chapel ELGAR’S THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS Saturday 13th <strong>October</strong>; <strong>Glasgow</strong> University Bute Hall AGAP THEATRE: NEWMAN’S THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS Wednesday 24th <strong>October</strong>; St Thomas’s Church Hall, Riddrie Thursday 25th <strong>October</strong>; St Michael’s Church Hall, Parkhead Friday 26th <strong>October</strong>; St Helen’s Church Hall, Langside Saturday 27th <strong>October</strong>; Turnbull Hall, RC Chaplaincy, <strong>Glasgow</strong> University All events begin at 7.30pm. Tickets from tickets@agap.org.uk, tel 0141 554 1333 or at the door Fundraising festival for Mary’s Meals ARTISTS for Mary’s Meals, whose HQ is on <strong>Glasgow</strong>’s south-side, are having their annual fund-raising Festival <strong>of</strong> the Arts, this month. It kicks <strong>of</strong>f with an Artisan’s Fair in Pollok House from 8-14 <strong>October</strong> and moves on to a Fine Art Exhibition at the St Enoch Centre from the 22nd to 28th. Entry is free. Then on Wednesday 31, three concerts have been arranged in House for an Artlover at Bellahouston Park. The Morgan Lee Duo with Sheila Hall are first up on stage at 11am, followed by a virtuosi recital at 2pm, and the Lydia de Rosa Singers rounding <strong>of</strong> the day with a performance at 7pm. Dumbreck-based Netta Ewing, co-ordinator for Artists for Mary’s Meals, said: “We are seeking musicians to play within our Artisans’ Fair at Pollok House and our Art Exhibition in the Greener <strong>Glasgow</strong> unit at the St.Enoch Centre. “We are open from 10am to 5pm each day except on Thurs 25th when we open until 8pm for late night shoppers. We have soloists, duettists, quartets and one septet. “Our musicians create a beautiful gentle ambience within the exhibitions which our supporters always love, as Netta Ewing they move around the exhibits and stalls, and the music definitely increases the donations to Mary’s Meals, which is such a terrific cause.” So far, two feeding shelters have been built in Malawi, providing food to nearly 1000 children, through Artists for Mary’s Meals.
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