New Chamber Oratorio by Philip Lancaster featuring poetry of WW1, Cirencester 3.30 p.m. 24th July 2016

There is to be a performance of "War Passion" written by Philip Lancaster to commemorate the First World War.  This will take place on 24^th July 2016 at Cirencester Parish Church, Cirencester at 3.30 p.m. and will be the first performance of a new chamber oratorio featuring the poetry of Edmund Blunden, Robert Graves, Julian Grenfell, Ivor Gurney, Wifred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Charles Sorley, Herbert Read, Issac Rosenberg and Edward Thomas. 3.30pm, as part of the Three Choirs Festival. For details please see http://www.3choirs.org/event/howells-and-lancaster

On the previous day (Saturday, 23^rd July 2016), Philip Lancaster will be giving a talk At St. Mary de Lode Church in Gloucester at 1.00 p.m. about the writing of the piece and some of the poetry used. For details see http://www.3choirs.org/event/a-new-war-passion

And for anyone in London, on Friday evening, 22^nd July 2016 the inaugural St. Marylebone Festival is presenting an evening of readings and song to commemorate the Somme centenary: "War on all fronts". For details and tickets please see http://www.3choirs.org/event/a-new-war-passion

Patrick Villa says:

“By co-incidence, the day of the premiere performance of Philip's 'War Passion' and poetry readings at Cirencester Parish Church, 24 July 2016 will be the centenary of Robert Graves's 21st birthday (if you see what I mean: he would have been 121!).   On 24^th July 1916, Robert’s parents received news of his death from wounds.   In August “The Times” listed him as 'Died of Wounds', but later published a correction, at no cost, written by Robert Graves himself.