In 2018 DCU performed ‘Requiem For An Angel’, a beautiful work written by Paul Carr in memory of his mother, an Australian opera singer. Earlier this year Linda and I applied to join the Really Big Chorus’s autumn tour to Aix-en-Provence to perform this work.

What a wonderful experience! Gavin Carr, brother of Paul, was our conductor. The 60-strong choir, including singers from the UK, Australia, Denmark, France and New Zealand rehearsed and performed in the Cathedrale Saint Sauveur in Aix and gave a performance in the Catholic Basilica of a nearby town. Both performances were sell-outs.

Whilst there we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful old town of Aix, to spend some time with other singers, to enjoy some French cuisine and, of course, to sample some French wine.

Paul Carr attended the performance in Aix and later wrote, ‘I was able to attend the performance in Aix-en-Provence and what a performance it was; the audience visibly moved and giving it a standing ovation. Eleanor Pennell-Briggs and Jake Muffett were wonderful as soloists, with jake giving among the most beautiful rendition of “Do I Love You” as I have heard. The concert was magnificently conducted by my brother Gavin and performed with the l’Orchestre de l’Opera de Toulon who were simply outstanding: exquisite playing from the woodwinds in particular, and perfectly balanced in this acoustic.’

Linda managed to speak to Paul, and he remembered hearing of our performance of his work in Dunfermline. He was genuinely sorry he had not been able to join us then, but did remember signing a copy of the score as a choir gift for Mandy’s birthday!

Morag Martindale, DCU secretary and soprano