Powerful, passionate, hypnotic – in a time of turmoil and at the height of his powers, Rachmaninoff turned to the choral heritage he held dear, and created his awe-inspiring All-Night Vigil—better known as the Vespers.

This masterpiece of unaccompanied choral writing is a radiant tapestry of ancient chant and lush Romantic harmony. From its hushed opening prayer to its triumphant final blessing, the work moves with deep spiritual intensity and overwhelming emotional sweep.

With mesmeric melodies - and some of the lowest notes you’ll ever hear sung - it is beloved by audiences and singers alike.

“Concerts given by Ex Cathedra are never just concerts... incredible intonation and tuning, soaring to great heights and plunging into abyssal depths yet staying true, never wavering. The choir’s intricate shaping of the music continued to the last ... passing through blazing fire before finally receding into a quiet, radiant joy” - read the full www.bachtrack.com review

Running time: approx. 1 hr 40 minutes, including interval.

EX CATHEDRA Choir
Jeffrey Skidmore conductor

Martha McLorinan mezzo soprano
James Robinson tenor
Simone Rebello bells

How to book

£35 / £31 / £26 / £21 plus £2 booking fee
£15 - aged 18-30, not in full-time education
£8 - under 18s and students in full-time education

Book online or call the Curve box office on 0116 242 3595
Find box office opening hours for telephone bookings

Getting there

St James the Greater is located just south of the centre of the City of Leicester, on the main A6, opposite Victoria Park. Roadside parking is available and all buses serving London Road stop outside, including 31, 31a, 44, 44a.

Access

Everyone is welcome at Ex Cathedra’s concerts, and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure you have a great experience.

Level access is available via the main door, and accessible toilets are located via a lift at the southeast end of the church.

Designated, discounted seats have been allocated for wheelchair users and companions on the ends of rows adjoining the centre aisle; please call the box office to book these.

You may like to note that each half of this concert will be performed as an uninterrupted sequence and the atmosphere will be quiet and still for extended periods.  Audiences usually reserve applause for the end of each half.

If you have any other access questions, please contact us, we are happy to help.

Concert FAQs

Find answers to your questions here. Do let us know if we've missed anything you'd find helpful.

Jeffrey says

"We are thrilled to return to Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, his most-loved work using orthodox chants from the Znamenny tradition, Greece and poignantly from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Recent discoveries from the original 1915 poster inform our performance and bells, so dear to Rachmaninoff and Russian Christian culture, will sound the chants between movements."