With all the giddy excitement and worldwide speculation surrounding the impending wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton, our thoughts naturally have turned to what music might be played at their royal nuptials.
Since the prince has already paid lovely tribute to his late mother by passing along that sapphire ring to his bride-to-be, we think that the couple might revisit some great selections that Diana chose for her own 1981 wedding, including:
- Jeremiah Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary. A wedding classic for brides the world over.
- Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim". This aria from the oratorio Samson was performed at Prince and Princess of Wales' wedding by Kiri Te Kanawa.
- Purcell's "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation". Another Baroque gem.
- Hubert Parry's "I Was Glad". This one has a royal history: it was written as a coronation anthem for Edward VII in 1902.
- "I Vow to Thee, My Country" by Gustav Holst. A bit of pure British patriotic splendor (make that splendour).
- William Mathias' "Let the People Praise Thee, O God". Written especially for Diana's wedding by the late Welsh composer.
- Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1. Everybody knows this one, at least from a million graduation ceremonies.
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by Anastasia Tsioulcas
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