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The dream of Gerontius, music unites UK and the Vatican

"Dream of Gerontius" Concert in Rome - A Musical Meditation on the Fate of the Christian Soul

On April 29th, 2023, the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls in Rome will host an extraordinary event – the “Dream of Gerontius” concert, a choral piece by the English composer Edward Elgar. Inspired by the text of St. John Henry Newman, the work takes on the complex questions of the destiny of man and offers a meditation on the fate of the Christian soul after death. The concert, promoted by the British Parliament in collaboration with the Pro-Musica e Arte Sacra Foundation, will celebrate the figure of St. John Henry Newman, the English theologian canonized in 2019. The event will feature more than 400 musicians, including the voices of Britain’s Parliament Choir, and will highlight the ecumenical character of the work. During a press conference, Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica, and Lord Michael German, a member of the House of Lords, emphasized the profound and thought-provoking content of the “Dream of Gerontius” and its ability to build a bridge between the Anglican and Catholic churches. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience this powerful musical work in the heart of Rome’s historic basilica.

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