The List

Exeter Cathedral

What's On @ Exeter Cathedral

London Concertante: A Night at the Opera by Candlelight
If you're looking for a romantic candlelit experience, want to enjoy some classical music greats then this is the concert for you! London Concertante present a sensational evening at the opera with an array of the finest opera arias and overtures, including works from Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, and Mozart – some of the best from Madame Butterfly, Turandot, Tosca, The Barber of Seville, Carmen, Cosi fan Tutti and so much more. Presented by Candlelight with some of the country’s greatest opera singers in the stunning setting, this truly is an evening not to be missed!
A Night at the Opera

A Night at the Opera

15 May 2026 - 15 May 2026

This experience is brought to you by Candlelight Concerts. This concert is not affiliated with the Fever Original Candlelight series. Stunning programme of compositions including Flower Duet and Habanera. Exceptional classical performances. The perfect option for first-time classical concert-goers.
The Seven Sins of Tango

The Seven Sins of Tango

15 May 2026 - 26 Jun 2026

The Seven Sins of Tango by Candlelight is a brand-new production for 2026, featuring two champion tango dancers accompanied by a 10-piece ensemble from the world-renowned London Concertante. It is straight from Argentina, merging the smouldering music of Astor Piazzolla and his contemporaries with electrifying choreography and virtuosic musicianship, revealing tango in its most authentic yet sophisticated form. Tango showcases Argentinas most iconic dance, combining its sensual elegance with raw intensity and razor-sharp precision. This passionate language is pushed to its very limits, creating an exhilarating spectacle for eyes and ears alike. Accompanying the dancers on stage, the programme features the very best music from tangos golden era, including Piazzollas Suite del Diablo (Suite of the Devil), the haunting Oblivion, and the most famous hit of them all: Libertango. We also hear works by other composers from the bars or Buenos Aires at the time, such as Francisco de Caro, and Jacob Gade. For this exciting project, London Concertante joins forces once again with celebrated pianist and composer David Gordon, whose arrangements and original works breathe fresh life into tangos sensual and fiery soundworld.
Roof Tour

Roof Tour

13 May 2026 - 6 Jun 2026

This fascinating behind-the-scenes tour takes you into the roof void high above the Nave, into the South Tower, the Lead Room and the Ringing Chamber and then through the spaces in the North Tower. If weather permits we extend the tour onto the North Tower to enjoy some of the best views of Exeter (and beyond). Dress: Flat-soled shoes are essential, no flip flops please.
G4 Christmas

G4 Christmas

5 Nov 2026 - 30 Dec 2026

Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season, with the return of their ‘G4 Christmas’ tour in the most awe-inspiring cathedrals, priories, minsters, halls and abbeys across the UK. Step into G4's world of vocal enchantment, as they take you on a breathtaking musical journey with beautifully-blended voices, within an idyllic sacred setting. Ignite your Christmas spirit with a sprinkling of G4’s yuletide magic. Nourish your soul with their extraordinary and unique renditions of traditional carols, sacred contemplations, classical favourites and modern festive hits including Silent Night, O Holy Night, All I Want for Christmas, Walking in the Air, When a Child is Born and The 12 Days of Christmas. With mesmerising harmonies and impeccable showmanship it’s no wonder this hotly-anticipated tour sells out year after year, where the guys leave you with chills of delight and a heart full of Christmas cheer. After the show you’ll dash, dance and prance your holly jolly way all the way home, having no doubt experienced something more precious than gold, frankincense and myrrh!
The Choral Pilgrimage

The Choral Pilgrimage

11 Jun 2026 - 11 Jun 2026

Spain's Siglo de Oro, the Age of Gold, gave rise to some of the greatest sacred choral music of the Renaissance. The Sixteen's 2026 Choral Pilgrimage programme, 'Lead, Kindly Light', devotes itself to pieces by two outstanding Spanish composers – Cristóbal de Morales and Sebastián de Vivánco. Our programme also features spellbinding settings of words by Saint John Henry Newman: Sir James MacMillan's Nothing in Vain for soloists and double choir and the world premiere of Kerensa Briggs' Lead, Kindly Light, specially commissioned for the Choral Pilgrimage.
Monteverdi - Vespers of 1610

Monteverdi - Vespers of 1610

11 Jul 2026 - 11 Jul 2026

The Exeter Festival Chorus concert takes place in the magnificent setting of Exeter Cathedral. With Devon Baroque - the only professional orchestra in the South West specialising in Baroque and early classical music, played on period instruments. Contrepoint Vocal Ensemble with Devon Baroque Orchestra Andrea Brown - Conductor Running time approximately 1hr50minutes plus a 20 minute interval with refreshments available. The venue has full disabled access with dedicated wheelchair spaces. Accompanying carers are eligible for a free ticket. Full details at https://exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk/index.php/whats-on and enquiries to [email protected]
Spotlight on...The Exeter Book

Spotlight on...The Exeter Book

28 Sept 2026 - 28 Sept 2026

Discover the oldest book of English literature in the world! This exclusive curator-led tour of the Treasures Exhibition centres on the Exeter Book. Join Cathedral Librarian, Emma Laws, for a close encounter with one of the worlds most remarkable medieval manuscripts. Ideal for history enthusiasts and literature lovers alike! Places are limited; booking is essential.
Leading Ladies: Stories of Ordinary and Extraordinary Women
Celebrate women through history and discover their stories at this special tour of the Cathedral and Cathedral Library. Journey through time from medieval saints and mystics to Enlightenment scientists and Victorian illuminators and calligraphers, and discover their lives, challenges and achievements. Tours begin in the Cathedral and end in the Cathedral Library and Archives Places are limited; booking is essential.
Summer Organ Recital: Michael Stephens-Jones
Enjoy the awe-inspiring sound of the Cathedral’s magnificent organ as the evening sun reflects on the unparalleled architecture of the nave during our summer recital series. These concerts will feature some of the country’s leading players, performing a veritable feast of varied organ music, with a video-link to the organ loft, enabling the audience to see the magic unfold on the keys at close quarter. Michael Stephens-Jones has been the Assistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral since September 2023. Following a gap-year at Tewkesbury Abbey, Michael spent three years at Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he served as Organ Scholar, graduating with a Starred First in Music in 2021. In his final year he was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists, gaining the Limpus prize, Dr F. J. Read prize, and Coventry Cathedral Recital Award for his performance. Following this, he was awarded the Silver Medal of the Musicians’ Company. After leaving Cambridge, Michael went on to hold positions at Guildford Cathedral, and St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Having won first prize in the 2016 London Organ Competition, Michael has given recitals widely, with highlights including Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, and the 2022 Three Choirs Festival. He has also been heard in broadcasts of Evensong on BBC Radio 3, and on Classic FM as the organist for the 2022 Guide Dogs UK Charity Carol Concert held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Summer Organ Recital: Timothy Noon

Summer Organ Recital: Timothy Noon

16 Jul 2026 - 16 Jul 2026

Enjoy the awe-inspiring sound of the Cathedral’s magnificent organ as the evening sun reflects on the unparalleled architecture of the nave during our summer recital series. These concerts will feature some of the country’s leading players, performing a veritable feast of varied organ music, with a video-link to the organ loft, enabling the audience to see the magic unfold on the keys at close quarter. Timothy Noon is the Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral. He received his early music education as a chorister at Hereford Cathedral, later learning the organ with Dr Roy Massey. At the age of seventeen he was appointed Organ Scholar of Canterbury Cathedral, and the following year became Organ Scholar at Christ Church, Oxford where he also read for a degree in music. In 1993 he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, winning six prizes in the examination, including the coveted Limpus prize. Since then Timothy has held the roles of sub-organist of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral, Organist and Master of the Choristers of St Davids Cathedral (Wales), then Director of Music at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool. Timothy has appeared many times on television and radio and has made numerous commercial recordings to date as soloist, accompanist and conductor. As an organist, he is a frequent solo performer, giving concerts in many prestigious venues across Europe and New Zealand. To be with his Kiwi wife, Elizabeth, Timothy moved to New Zealand in 2011, accepting the position of Director of Music at Auckland Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Immersing himself in the country’s musical scene, he worked not only on a daily basis with the cathedral’s three choirs, but by serving as a council member of Australia and New Zealand College of Organists, on the governing body of the New Zealand Choral Federation, and participating as organist in projects with Auckland’s main orchestras.
Summer Organ Recital: Michael D'Avanzo
Exeter Cathedral Organ Scholar, Michael D'Avanzo, will be performing a delightful seasonal concert as part of our Summer Concert Series, celebrating exceptional organ music in one of the countrys most atmospheric and historic sacred spaces.
Summer Organ Recital: Willeke Smits
Organist, Willeke Smits, will be performing a delightful seasonal concert as part of our Summer Concert Series, celebrating exceptional organ music in one of the countrys most atmospheric and historic sacred spaces.
Summer Organ Recital: Andrew Millington
Exeter Cathedral is thrilled to welcome former Director of Music of Exeter Cathedral Andrew Millington to our summer recital series. Advance Tickets: Adults - 8 Students - 4 Under 18s - Free On the door tickets: Adults - 10 Students - 5 Under 18s - Free
Libera in Concert

Libera in Concert

23 Jul 2026 - 23 Jul 2026

I like them so much they sang at my wedding Aled Jones Libera will be returning to Exeter Cathedral for the first time since 2015. The magical sounds of Libera enchant audiences across the world - from Toronto to Tokyo, from Westminster to Washington and even on Viking cruise ships. The boys' distinctive white robes recall Libera's traditional origins, yet their music reaches across the generations to a wide audience. The unique sound of Libera is impossible to pigeonhole, but it appeals to fans worldwide. The singers of Libera are aged seven to sixteen. They come from many backgrounds, attending schools in South London. Although they are boys and they sing, they do not think of themselves as choirboys, but rather as an alternative kind of boy band.
St Sidwell 2026 - Women and Witchcraft in Tudor and Stuart St Sidwells talk by Professor Mark
St Sidwells is the largest parish in Exeter with a rich and vibrant history. Named after the citys native saint, Sidwella, the manor of St Sidwell formerly belonged to the Cathedrals Dean and Chapter and was the scene of many bitter disputes between the cathedral and city authorities during the medieval and early modern periods. The most populous of all of Exeters parishes, St Sidwells was burnt to the ground during the Civil War of the 1640s, forcing the inhabitants to seek shelter elsewhere, and it took decades for the destroyed properties to be rebuilt. St Sidwells was also a hotbed of witch-belief, and a St Sidwells woman is the first person known to have been executed for that alleged crime in the whole of South West England. In this lively talk, historian Professor Mark Stoyle will provide an overview of St Sidwells turbulent past, concentrating on the stories of the local women (and some men) who were accused of witchcraft by their terrified neighbours.
Labyrinth Workshop

Labyrinth Workshop

25 Jul 2026 - 25 Jul 2026

An opportunity to explore the origins and use of the labyrinth and to learn how to create your own handheld classic seven pathway.
Bishop's Garden and Cathedral Tour

Bishop's Garden and Cathedral Tour

13 May 2026 - 3 Jun 2026

This delightful tour is an opportunity to visit a beautiful area in the centre of the city which is not generally open to the public. It begins inside the cathedral with a look at the parts of the building which can be seen from the Palace Garden and continues with a walk around the outside of the cathedral site to the medieval Palace Gate through which we enter the tranquillity of the garden. Learn about the Palace itself the oldest inhabited building in the city and still the private home of the Bishop of Exeter and discover how the garden has been adapted and used over centuries. As you stroll along the gravel paths that border the lawns, encounter plantings by generations of bishops including the famous Lucombe Oak, beautiful herbaceous borders and a wild garden area. See a section of the city's Roman wall and various constructions and statues which have been added over time. This tour is accessible.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons & Lark Ascending by Candlelight
Antonio VivaldisThe Four Seasonsis the most recorded work in classical music and a defining showpiece for solo violin. Each concerto depicts a different season, shaped by accompanying poems possibly written by Vivaldi himself and inspired by the vivid seasonal landscapes of artist Marco Ricci. Across the four concertos, Vivaldi transforms the natural world into vivid musical scenes, evoking birdsong and buzzing flies, harvest celebrations, drunken revellers, barking dogs, summer storms and winter ice. Alongside this, Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending, composed on the eve of the First World War, offers a more reflective perspective. Inspired by George Merediths poem, it captures a pastoral world on the brink of change, its soaring violin line suggesting a lark gliding high above the mechanised world below, lost on his aerial rings / In light, and then the fancy sings. Mozart appears twice in the programme: first in the fizzing Overture toThe Marriage of Figaro, and later in his Flute Quartet in D, originally written for a wealthy amateur flautist. The work places the flute firmly in the spotlight, from the bright, effortlessly tuneful opening to the slow movement, where it sings a long, expressive line over gently plucked strings, before a playful, quicksilver finale brings the piece to a close. Whether youre already in the know or completely new to classical music, this is a programme to be enjoyed by all.
Stones and Bones

Stones and Bones

12 May 2026 - 30 Jun 2026

From murder to burials this tour is a wonderful amalgam of history and archaeology as we delve into the stories of the Cathedral Green and explore the surroundings of the Cathedral. We move from Roman times to the present day and discover the secrets of Exeters cemetery (you may be surprised), learn about the buildings of the Close and the evolution of the Cathedral over the last 900 years.
Exhibition Opening: the Orchard Cafe Quartet
The Orchard Cafe String Quartet's candlelit programme will be a blend of their favourite Scandanavian folk tune arrangements alongside original tunes and arrangements written by the quartet. The two Devon artists exhibiting their work are Ray and Val Jones.

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