Sala: Truro Cathedral

Celebrating the music of an iconic family that bridged the height of the Baroque period with the Classical era, conductor Christopher Gray and his Three Spires Singers set the evening ablaze with J.S. Bach's Magnificat and two works by the composer's prodigious children: the Sinfonia Concertante in A by J.C. Bach and C.P.E Bach's exuberant Magnificat.

A place of worship was the stage; stained glass windows cast light on a choir that massed over a hundred and sixty members, and the Truro Symphony Orchestra, led by Martin Palmer and heralded by soprano Claire Seaton, mezzo Susanna Spicer, tenor Anthony Mee, and bass Edward Price wrought tragedy and triumph out of a magnificent performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Messa da Requiem at Truro Cathedral.

Luring England's David Briggs back to his native soil and under the soaring arches of Truro Cathedral is hardly a monumental feat when tempted by the works of Fauré, Poulenc and Charpentier, as well as a performance of his own Requiem.