On Sunday Evening, 14th April, the College Choir, directed by Dr Sexton, sang ‘Most Glorious Lord of Life’. The work is a charming and unusual Eastertide anthem, by the celebrated twentieth-century English composer, Sir William Harris, with words by the Elizabethan poet, Edmund Spenser (of Fairie Queen fame), who had very strong links with Ireland, particularly from the time of the Plantation of Munster in the 1580s.

‘Most Glorious Lord of Life, who on this day, didn’t make thy triumph over death and sin’ (see Sonnet 68 of Spenser’s Amoretti for full libretto – the work is unusual insofar as the doctrine of the Resurrection is treated as the subject of a love sonnet, in the mode of the book of Song of Songs from scripture).

The service was a diocesan celebration of The Right Rev’d Dr Paul Colton’s life and mission with the United dioceses over the past quarter of a century. The College choir was delighted to have been asked to sing as part of the magnificent service at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, given the Bishop’s special links with Midleton College. Dr Sexton was particularly pleased to have been asked back to St Fin Barre’s, as he was an organist for ten years (working with Colin Nicholls, who was Organist and Master of Choristers), and Dr Sexton played for the Bishop’s enthronement in 1999. 

Many figures from the City, County and the government were in attendance, including the former Taoiseach, An Tánaiste, Michaél Martin TD, who very kindly spoke to the choir members after divine service, and consented to a photograph.

The College thanks the Bishop, together with the Dean and Chapter of Cork, for kindly inviting the College choir to this august and memorable occasion.