Coming soon - The Grandeur of God, a musical oratory featuring the music of Hildegard of Bingen - well, she actually lived at Disibodenburg which is up the Nahe valley from Bingen, very picturesque in the spring, though only a few tumbled stones remain of Hildegarde's house (pictured) she was a polymath and poet though perfectly orthodox.
Also we feature the poetry of Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins, former curate of this church, noted for not knowing that poplar trees have to be felled, all felled, before they become dangerous, but they do grow rather quickly. Binsey poplars feature in the paintings of Roger Wagner (at present on display in the church across the road, St Giles) . The stained glass figure is in Binsey church - it probably does not represent St Frideswide.
The narrator of the oratory will be Robert Hardy, best known as an expert on the mediaeval long bow (much involved in exploring how the ones found on the Mary Rose were used), also something of an actor (former Minister of Magic, you remember...). All this with singing by Vox Angelica. So -- Hildegard, Hopkins and Hardy, in our Church, in aid of our Appeal, on Friday 12 March at 8:00. Tickets £10, or £8 if you are slightly older than me, or £5 if you are struggling students. From the Lodge here at the Oratory, or the Playhouse in Beaumont Street.
