As is typical at the Three Choirs Festival, the second day is spent going to a Festival Eucharist, Evensong and a concert. Yesterday’s Eucharist featured the Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G Minor, and I couldn’t help but think that I am so so sorry that my husband, Carl, didn’t live long enough to revel in all this. We had heard about the Three Choirs Festival but never had the opportunity to come.

I believe we performed the Mass in G minor in the early 90s but as I listened to the choir rehearse (since we got to the Cathedral early) I still remembered every luscious chord sequence.

The Gloucester Cathedral’s rendition of the work was ethereal—one of those “died and went to heaven” moments!

Last night’s concert was called “The Faerie Bride,” and there were two major works, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Flos Campi” and Gavin Higgins’ “The Faerie Bride.” I really found the libretto of “The Faerie Bride” engaging, the story of a man who marries a faerie with tragic consequences.

As I mentioned before this is my fifth Festival and my third time in Gloucester. Every time I have stayed in a different hotel, finding that hotels here are sold out a year in advance. This time I got smart and started looking for a place a year ago last June! I found this great Airbnb waterfront condo, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, exceptionally clean and modern. Although it’s located about a mile from the Cathedral, we are getting our steps in by walking to the cathedral at least two round trips as we did yesterday.

Aside from the exquisite performances at Three Choirs, I also enjoy meeting up with people I see every Festival. Yesterday I met up with John and Rosemary Allsop, whose son is organist Christopher Allsop. Here’s what I wrote in 2018:

Do you remember my mentioning an English couple I met on the historic walking tour and how they told me their son was the assistant organist at Worcester Cathedral? Well, tonight I met him! His name is Christopher Allsop and his mother asked if I would like to meet him during the interval (intermission).

What I was so surprised is Christopher said he already knew me from my blog! And today was just a formality to finally meet in person!

“People in England know you because just Google ‘Three Choirs Festival” and “reviews”, and your blog comes right up!”

The Festival rotates between the Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford Cathedrals. If ever you get a chance to come to the Three Choirs Festival, do not hesitate… come for the world-class music but also come for the people!