A RECITAL of sacred music ancient and modern in the spectacular setting of Notre-Dame Cathedral was the centre-piece of Farnham Youth Choir’s Easter tour of Paris and the Dordogne.

The choir took full advantage of this rare privilege, filling the immense acoustic with beautifully-judged performances of a cappella works by early masters di Lasso and Pergolesi and motets by more recent composers including David Hamilton and Maurice Duruflé.

Undertaking its first tour under new choral director Jo Tomlinson, the choir then travelled south where it performed in the cathedrals of Périgueux and Sarlat. In addition, FYC gave a concert in the picturesque church of St Vaast in nearby Villac, where the hugely appreciative audience gave the choir a standing ovation.

“Giving inspired and committed performances in beautiful venues with four such different acoustics was both hugely enjoyable and a great learning experience for our young choristers,” said Jo. “And, with a packed schedule including sightseeing and the opportunity to make their own Easter chicks in a chocolate factory, the choir returned home tired but thrilled in having risen to the challenge so brilliantly.”