African Sanctus

Saturday 15 November 2025

7.30pm

(ends 9.30pm approximately)

The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds

African Sanctus

by David Fanshawe

Tara Bungard soprano

Anne Reece piano

BackBeat percussion

Bury Bach Choir

Benedict Collins Rice conductor

David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus (meaning Holy Africa) is a piece of music like no other. Hailed as the defining Afro-Latin tribal-choral masterpiece, this jewel of World Music has been performed around the world and has a multi-national following. Talking about the work on BBC Radio 3, Anthony Hopkins said that “African Sanctus is literally unique, both in conception and completion”.

A thrilling setting of the Latin Mass harmonised with traditional African music, it blends beautiful choral music with unique and rare recordings collected by David Fanshawe on extensive treks through Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya in 1969-73. He achieved such a close rapport with many local communities that they gave him permission for their performances to be specially recorded. This recorded music is woven into African Sanctus alongside live performances from the on-stage chorus, percussion ensemble, piano, guitars and soprano soloist.

African Sanctus is a celebratory and visionary work expressing unity between peoples, their faiths and, above all, their music. This piece is more than a performance. It’s a spellbinding, immersive and electrifying event that breaks boundaries and magnificently celebrates the composer’s vision of shared humanity. You must come.

As a warm-up for the main event, the concert will start with a percussion extravaganza as well as one or two other unexpected musical surprises!

All seats reserved

Booking opens 6 June 2025

Tickets £29 and £22 (half price for under-30s)

If this link doesn't work, please clear the cookies on your browser, or phone 01284 758000