Coventry City of Culture: Special performance set to celebrate Cathedral
It's the 60th anniversary of the Queen's visit to bless the new cathedral
Last updated 27th Jan 2022
A special performance to mark the 60th anniversary of Coventry Cathedral is taking place tonight (Thursday)
‘Ghosts in the Ruins’, commissioned by the cathedral and the City of Culture Trust, marks the 60th anniversary of the consecration of Coventry Cathedral, for which Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece ‘War Requiem’ was created.
Her Majesty the Queen visited the cathedral that year to bless the new building, after the old was bombed during the Second World War.
Composer Nitin Sawhney was asked to create this piece, with the help of Coventry-based musicians.
Created with Coventry’s professional musicians, poets and communities ‘Ghosts in the Ruins’ will explore contemporary ideas of peace and reconciliation and reflect Coventry as a city of sanctuary, with a strong history of helping refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, and acknowledging a sense of connection to the rest of the world.
The work will explore themes of acceptance, healing, transcendence, hope, resilience, regeneration and reconciliation in relation to contemporary conflicts, is an acknowledgement of the destruction of the past as well as hope for the future of the world.
Nitin Sawhney says:
“When I was first approached for this commission, I was very excited at the prospect of creating an immersive experience based around the human voice, evoking the relationship between the people of Coventry and the historically significant cathedral in the heart of its city. It seemed the best way to approach this was to work with voices within the new cathedral building as well as the ruins of the original cathedral bombed in WWII.
"I was also impressed by how Coventry has risen as a city from that painful past and how it has embraced its inspiring role as a place of sanctuary for those in need from other cities affected by war and violence. This creative project is a tribute to how the people of Coventry have transcended the ghost of their past to become a guiding light for the world.”
The Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry Cathedral, says:
“We know that this contemporary take on our iconic work will bring a new audience in to experience the power of our story to change hearts and lives, and to inspire young and old to find their own grounds for hope for the future. As we begin our Diamond Jubilee year, we are delighted to be working with Nitin, who has a deep appreciation of the significance of Britten’s legacy and will help lift it into the next generation.”
Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director of Coventry City of Culture Trust, says:
“Ghosts in the Ruins will be a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the new Cathedral and allows us another opportunity to remember and reflect on the catastrophic events of WW2 that led to the destruction of the old Cathedral and the synergy with our world today. Nitin Sawney creates thought provoking joyful music, and is an exceptional international artist. He also brings a strong social and political edge to his work as a storyteller, film maker, composer and musician. ”