Ripon Cathedral Choir’s tour of Bavaria has been hailed a great success with standing ovations at its concerts and acclaim by German media.
The choir sang services and concerts at venues including Munich Cathedral, Regensburg Cathedral, Waldsassen Basilica and Nuremberg Frauenkirche.
The tour of Germany was the latest exciting chapter in a story which has seen the renaissance of a dwindling choir over a two-year period, under the leadership of Director of Music, Dr Ronny Krippner.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson spoke of the warmth and gratitude of the German people. He said:
“I am delighted that Dr Krippner suggested bringing our wonderful cathedral choir to his native Bavaria. This is the most exciting tour we have done in a generation. It is truly humbling to see how welcoming and appreciative the German congregations and audiences have been. Ripon choristers will love Bavaria for evermore.”
In its review, the newspaper Der Neue Tag spoke of ‘Top-class choral music from the UK’. It went on to say,
‘The audience in the Basilica was given a magnificent concert experience by the Cathedral Choir of Ripon Cathedral. Under the direction of Dr. Ronny Krippner, who grew up in Waldsassen and Marktredwitz, the choir put together a demanding, top-class programme on Sunday afternoon - the choir’s singing was characterised by total precision."
"With close attention, discipline and concentration throughout, the singers followed the direction of their leader, who has held the position of Director of Music at Ripon Cathedral since 2022. The cathedral choir consists of a boys’ choir, a girls’ choir and six professional singers. They were all delighted with the standing applause from the audience at the end of the concert which was almost sold out."
It has been a remarkable journey for a choir which was badly hit by the pandemic – Covid had made recruitment impossible and numbers were falling; the boys’ choir folded, with boys and girls singing together. However, following three large scale recruitment drives at schools in the region there are now more than 60 choristers and a growing number of choral scholars – older students who were either choristers or have joined since.
The choir’s next exciting event will be the release of its first commercial CD ready for Christmas, which will go on sale in the autumn!
Harrogate wins gold at Britain in Bloom awards
A life of service: From military nurse to Principal of a Harrogate school
Harrogate comedian to return to hometown as part of upcoming tour
Swimming instructors visit Harrogate nurseries to teach water safety
Charity lunch at Harrogate hotel raises £2,700
Knaresborough wins regional town crier competition
Details revealed for Ripon Christmas light switch-on
Parish poll could cost Ripon taxpayers £20,000, mayor's supporters say
Council warns man of £38 charge per flag if he puts up any more
Harrogate restaurant shortlisted at national Curry Awards
WATCH: Trailer released for Christmas film featuring Knaresborough and Wetherby
Viral pub crawler returns to Knaresborough pubs
Coral Windows begins new sponsorship with Harrogate Junior football club
Tickets go on sale for Love to Be Festival 2026 in Harrogate
Allotment in Harrogate sell pumpkins to raise money for community shed
Mayor of North Yorkshire visits Harrogate company to reduce digital inequality
New mental health hub opens in Harrogate
Stump Cross Cavern shortlisted for People's Choice Award
Your Christmas to provide seasonal joy on DAB across North Yorkshire
Communities asked to help support new opportunities in Harrogate
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-6831713-1427558147-6245.jpeg.jpg)
