Remember the church of Saint Marie Madeleine in the small town of Nezignan-I’Eveque where we have been staying for the last 3 nights, I spoke about it a few posts back and that it was closed!
Well this evening as I was out walking the streets I could hear divine singing coming from within.
So I went in to check it out and was blown away by the acoustics that this 11th Century church had.
The tall curved stone ceiling and the sound just enveloped you.
I got to chatting and found out that they were only practicing till 6 pm tonight for a concert later in the week.
As it was already 5.20 I said that I was going to run back down the hill and drive Sandy back up as I just wanted her to be able to experience the singing also.
It ended up like our own personal concert, they asked us where we were from and one of the singers was appointed token english speaking and translator.
Amazing sound that 20 people have to fill the space.
They decided that since they now had a “practise audience” as they called us, that they would sing some more
songs just for us.
What a treat.
Right place … Right time!
What a great buzz that will sink nicely into those of our special travel memories.
Now I did get the “goss” on the church.
It belonged to the bishops of Agde a town 20 km away, closed to where the locks where this afternoon.
It was first mentioned in 1173 by Louis V11 in his
confirmation of episcopal belongings. In other words all the stuff he owned and had in his little Black Book!!!
The original Romanesque building contained a single nave with 4 barrel-vaulted bays.
This is where we were seated tonight it is all just so ancient.
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