Faith Features

Over one hundred performers are coming together to present a very different version of Alban's story.

"Alban" a community opera has been created over more than two years and comes to fruition with five performances in the breathtaking location of St Albans Cathedral.

The opera was the idea of conductor David Ireson and his wife Hazel who had taken part in earlier community performances.

The production expands on the rather sketchy details we know about the legend of Alban and focuses instead on his personal life. Liberties have been taken and Alban is seen as a doctor who has seen military service. He is married with two children and lives in the Roman city of Verulamium. There is a knock on his door one night which begins the chain reaction which ends in the founding of a city and a cathedral.

So the story is personalised as the family breaks down under the pressure of the allegations against Alban and his subsequent arrest.

The score by composer Tom Wiggall soars and is packed with dramatic themes and motifs with more than a hint at his work in film and television. The libretto is by local poet John Mole and uses contemporary language which makes Alban's story easily accessible to people who might not be opera afficionados.  It is very much in the tradition of community operas by the likes of Benjamin Britten and Malcolm Williamson.

Now as the performance dates come closer, the elements come together.

The costumes are ready and as I visited the rehearsal the orchestra and principals were having a full musical run through. Composer Tom was making the occasional tweak to the individual instrumental parts and all was sounding well.

The final stage will be to marry the community choir with the orchestra and leads and then perform in the acoustic of the Cathedral itself.

It promises to a performance which will leave an enduring memory of an ordinary family man and his extraordinary fate.

'"Alban" will be performed in St Alban's Cathedral at 7.30 from Wednesday 20th May - Saturday 23rd May. There is also a 2:30pm matinee on the Saturday.

Tickets are obtainable from the Abbey Box Office on 01727 890256