Celestial Sirens brought another first to St Michael’s Southampton last night with a performance of Cipriano de Rore’s Christmas Vespers – a work that has not been heard in modern times. But, given the news of the death of Nelson Mandela, the choir wished to mark his passing with an appropriate tribute – so we began the concert with the hymn N’kosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. There was a lovely stillness in the church, as if the bustle and busyness of Christmas was put on hold for those few moments – we were all grateful!
