Last spring, I discovered the television show, “Doc Martin,”  and immediately got hooked on it. It used to be shown locally on public television, and then I found back episodes on Netflix, which now have been moved to Acorn TV. Anyway, it is a series about a brilliant but grumpy surgeon who develops a blood phobia and has to move to a picturesque village in the Cornwall countryside. I have watched all eight seasons at least four times over—it still makes me laugh out loud even though I’ve practically memorized the dialogue! Wonder if I could ever travel to the real-time town of Port Isaac which serves as the fictional Portwenn where the filming is done?

Last October, I found a three-day “Doc Martin” tour which leaves from London and immediately booked it for this coming April. As if the excitement over going to Port Isaac and possibly seeing filming on location weren’t enough, yesterday I decided to find out if there were any musical concerts going on in London at that time, since I’ll be there about three days ahead of the tour.

And look what I found on the night I arrive!

Formed in 2003 by ex-choristers of Westminster Abbey Choir, the English vocal ensemble Voces8 has a diverse repertoire ranging from from 13^th century polyphony (early English and European Renaissance choral work), such as Orlando Gibbons to contemporary commissions and their own arrangements of jazz and pop songs. They came up with the name en route to a competition. Paul Smith (one of the founding members) said, “We needed a name to go on stage and there were eight of us and we were in Italy. We wanted something that feels like voices but had that Latin vibe to it, so we went with voces.” Voces8 has entertained audiences across Europe and the UK. The group has been praised for “stunning performance”, “exquisite singing” and “a sound that spans the entire range of vocal colour”. When not on the concert platform, Voces8 spends much of its time leading workshops and master-classes around the world. The ensemble is proud to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing. Touring extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia; versatility and a celebration of diverse musical expression is central to the ensemble’s performance ethos.

Reviews:
“The singing of VOCES8 is impeccable in its quality of tone and balance. They bring a new dimension to the word ‘ensemble’ with meticulous timing and tuning.” Gramophone

“The slickest of the lot… fans of a cappella ought to hear this.”
CD Review, BBC Radio 3

“Eight beautifully integrated solo voices… Every number here has something particularly arresting within it, all supported by persuasive and committed singing.” BBC Music Magazine Choral and Song Choice, A Purcell Collection

Here’s the program on April 4th that I will be attending in Cadogan Hall, London:

Byrd Sing Joyfully
Mendelssohn Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen über dir
Rachmaninov Bogoroditse Devo
Jonathan Dove In Beauty May I Walk
Mundy Lightly She Whipped O’er the Dales
Marson The Nymphs and Shepherds Danced
Hunt Hark! Did Ye Ever Hear Such Sweet Singing?
Britten Hymn to St Cecilia
Monteverdi Book VI: Lagrime d’amante al sepolcro dell’amata
Kate Rusby Underneath the Stars (arr. J Clements)
Ben Folds The Luckiest (arr. J Clements)
Demetrio & Beltrán Ruiz Sway (arr. L’Estrange)
Van Heusen Ain’t that a Kick in the Head (arr. J Clements)
Duke Ellington It Don’t Mean a Thing (arr. Parry)

I’m so excited!