Rochester Cathedral - CANCELLED

[Karsten]

Hi,

Thanks to James (Classic FM Magazine December 2008 thread, # 2) I had a look at the Classic FM Christmas Concerts.

Hayley's appearance is announced here:

www.classicfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=937393&spid=28742

The website of the cathedral

www.rochestercathedral.org/news/special-events.asp

says only:

...Classic FM Christmas Concert
Details on how to buy tickets will be available soon....

Cheers, Karsten

[Karsten]

Hi again,

although there's no confirmation by Bedlam so far, I booked one ticket online.

Despite a number of tryings the best seat offered was M 9 in the nave.

Having a short look at the online booking for St. Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh the best row offered was F and at Andrew's post mentioning that the first four rows were "sold out" I suppose that a booking by phone would have delivered no considerable better result.

Anyway, with the already booked early flight to London on 18 Dec I'll make a short eastbound journey just one day before the Barbican concert. (BTW for only GBP 15 return)

One "church concert" will be necessary this year.

Cheers, Karsten

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

I met Kathryn from Bedlam Management this afternoon, and this event is confirmed.

Richard

[grant]

Hello everyone

I'm considering this one, but have just checked with See Tickets and the best seats available are in Row N which is 14 rows from the stage!

Think I'll sleep on it!

Best wishes
Grant

[Karsten]

Hi Richard,

Many thanks to you and to Kathryn for the immediate confirmation.

Hi Grant,

You're completely right, the available rows are a bit afar from the stage.

The friendly staff of the Cathedral told me that the only way to get tickets is through "See Tickets". At least M9 is an aisle seat.

Cheers, Karsten

[Karsten]

In the meantime I've got my ticket.

BTW: I was just offered P 13 as the best available seat when I had a look at the on-line booking.

Cheers, Karsten

[Karsten]

After a quick check on the seeticket website today it seems to be sold out.

I wonder who got the tickets for rows A to L...

Cheers, Karsten

[roger]

This event has been cancelled. Please see the statement here.

Roger

[Karsten]

Sad news are travelling slowly on weekends, it seems.

The cancellation of Hayley's appearance isn't announced so far on see ticket, classic fm or the website of Rochester Cathedral.

Cheers, Karsten

[roger]

Hi Karsten,

Unfortunately, that isn't really surprising. The news was only released last evening and most of those websites are likely to be run by people who work conventional office hours. As is is the weekend, they may not be updated until Monday and the same probably goes for Hayley's official site.

Roger

[martindn]

Hi Roger,

Yes, I think that is the explanation. It also shows that Bedlam are on the ball, contacting you first as they knew you were able and willing to pass on the message immediately, even at 11pm in the evening. Thank you for doing so. That means that I might still get tickets for another event that clashed with the Barbican concert.

Martin

[drew]

From Classic FM

Hayley has regrettably had to pull out of all of her engagements in the run into Christmas, including the Classic FM Christmas Concerts...


She has had a bronchial problem that she picked up whilst launching the Poppy Appeal in Basra, which due to carrying out her duties around Remembrance Week has failed to clear.

The doctor has advised her that she needs to take a proper break to allow the condition to clear and so she is returning immediately to New Zealand to recuperate with her family.

She would like to send her sincere apologies to all those affected by this, it is the first time she has had to cancel due to health reasons.

However we are pleased to announce that in Hayley's place, Elin Manahan-Thomas will now be joining us as the guest soloist at our Christmas Concerts in Rochester and Edinburgh.

Elin is one of the Bedlam Team.

[Karsten]

Hi Drew,

Many thanks for the information. With my advance railway ticket already booked I'll probably head for Rochester.

Cheers, Karsten

[Karsten]

Hi,

I've just got a message offering a refund re Rochester. I suppose in case of Edinburgh it'll be the same:

...We're writing regarding your tickets for
CLASSIC FM CHARITABLE TRUST CHRISTMAS CONCERT
at Rochester Cathedral, Rochester on 18/12/2008.
It is with regret that, due to health reasons, Hayley Westenra has
announced that she is to pull out of all her engagements in the run up to
Christmas. However, Classic FM are thrilled to announce that renowned
soprano Elin Manahan Thomas is able to stand in for Hayley and will
therefore be taking her place at the Classic FM Christmas Concerts in
Edinburgh, on Saturday 13th December, and Rochester, on Thursday 18th
December.

If you would like a refund please return your tickets by a secure postal
service to See Tickets, Room 4, Norfolk House, 47 Upper Parliament St,
Nottingham NG1 2AB, with a copy of this letter/e-mail.
Refunds must be claimed at least 5 days before the event. Refunds cannot be
made for tickets not received by our office.
If you've any queries regarding your order please feel free to
give us a call on 0871 2200260 (24hrs) quoting reference 20962656.

Your sincerely, See Tickets Customer Services...

Cheers, Karsten

[Karsten]

Hi,

Just for the sake of completeness here only a few (last) words about the concert:

It was (nearly) sold out and went from 7 pm to 8:50 pm. The first twelve rows were given to the sponsors, I suppose.

Elin sang unfortunately only two pieces,

Ave Maria (Franz Schubert) and

Wiegenlied (Max Reger - Mary's Lullaby: "Maria sitzt am Rosenhag"),

the latter with German lyrics.

The public was invited to join in for five songs.

If anybody should be interested in hearing the concert - it'll broadcasted by Classic FM on Boxing Day from 9 pm.

All the best,

Karsten



Rochester Cathedral