A Mass for Peace: Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man

Wellington choirs are joining together this Friday night at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul for a free performance of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace as a response to the Christchurch mosque shootings last week.

The popular work was chosen for its inclusion of a Muslim call to prayer, which sits alongside texts from the Christian Mass, the Hindu epic Mahabharata and the poetry of Kipling, Tennyson and Toge Sankichi. Titled after the 15th century tune ‘L’homme armé’ which is heard at the outset, the work was dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo conflict which was raging at the time of composition.

Members of the Wellington Cathedral Choir, Orpheus Choir of Wellington, The Tudor Consort, Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir, Supertonic and others will take part, giving a choir of around 150 singers which will be conducted by the Cathedral’s Director of Music Michael Stewart and accompanied on the organ by Richard Apperley.

There is no charge for the performance, but there will be an opportunity to donate to the Anglican Mission relief appeal.