Cathedral concerts celebrate centennial

This year, the Cathedral of the Madeleine will begin its festival in a big way.

To mark the centennial of the cathedral's dedication, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square will start things off with two concerts this weekend.

This is only the second time that the Tabernacle Choir has performed in the cathedral.

"We are really happy that they will open our festival this year," festival director Drew Browning told the Deseret News. "They're a big draw, and it creates a little different feel when they play in a place like the cathedral."

Browning said that more than 300 choir members had already signed up to sing at this weekend's concerts. They will be joined by 65 musicians from the Orchestra at Temple Square. "That means we'll have close to 400 people participating in our opening event."

That means there will be fewer seats available for the public. "There will only be space for 700-750 people," Browning said. "Normally, the cathedral can seat around 900. That's why we decided to do two concerts."

The festival committee first approached the Tabernacle Choir nearly five years ago about opening this year's festival. "We were so excited when they agreed," Browning said.

The only other time the Tabernacle Choir has performed at the cathedral was in 1993, when the church was reopened after being closed for extensive renovations.

The program that the choir will sing this weekend will include selections from its latest CD, "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing." Gustav Holst's Psalm 86, featuring two soloists from the Madeleine Choir School, is also on the program.

Browning said tickets for Saturday's concert have already been distributed. A few tickets remain for Sunday's performance. And there will be a stand-by line both evenings.

While attention has been focused on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Browning said, the rest of the festival features some outstanding performers, as well.

"Every year we feel like we're trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but I think we have some great concerts lined up this year," he said.

The second concert, on April 26, has local favorite Kate McLeod returning with a program called "Songs for a Cathedral." "She always gives a wonderful concert," Browning said, "and I'm happy that she's returning this year."