We will be in Salisbury on June 10. I'd like to see the Magna Carta as well as listen to the Evensong. How early do I need to get to be at the Evensong to be guaranteed a seat. I understand it is open to the public and I do not need a ticket for it. Is it feasible to get Magna Carta tickets for 4:00 and then make the song service by 5:30?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16954 posts
Absolutely possible. The Magna Carta is in the Chapter House which is just a few steps away from the Nave of the cathedral. The times I have gone to Evensong I was there about 20-30 minutes ahead of time. There will be someone standing at the door to the choir area where you are seated and they will let you in maybe 15 minutes before the service starts. I've never been there when it was totally full.
BTW, this is a church service and you'll want to participate, not just listen. There will be an order of service at each seat where you can follow along and give the appropriate responses with other members of the congregation.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11508 posts
10 June is a Wednesday. That is the day of the week when it is what I slightly irreverently call Evensaid (said Evening Prayer), not Evensong.
The only exception will be if there is some kind of special event.
When I was at Evensaid at Salisbury in October it was in the Chapel to the east of the Quire and High Altar, there were maybe 10 or so of us there.
Any Cathedral Evensong I've ever been to the only way the congregation participate is to recite the Creed, facing East (and very rarely sing the Office Hymn at the end). The rest of the service (including the responses and the canticles) is either sung or said by the Minister, Choir or the Cantor.
The service sheet should tell you when to stand, sit or kneel.
Posted by
London
2422 posts
this is a church service and you'll want to participate, not just listen.
Personally I don't think this is entirely true. I've been to services of various denominations and you don't always know what's the appropriate thing to do. As an example, a Catholic service can be very confusing for the noob! Stand up, sit down, kneel etc.
I think just being there is good enough.