The Choir: Difference between revisions

 

Joanna Trollope's 1988 novel explores the politics and personalities of a fictional cathedral and its choir. In the precinct of Aldminster Cathedral, crisis looms. After already spending a great deal of money on a restoration of the cathedral organ, leaks in the roof are discovered requiring a major and expensive renovation. Hugh Cavendish, the urbane and worldly Dean, wants nothing so much as to restore his beloved Cathedral - even if it means sacrificing the Choir School to pay for it. Alexander Troy, the school’s headmaster, is determined that nothing and no one - certainly not the overbearing Dean – shall destroy the Choir.

As the rift widens, many others are caught in the schism including Leo Beckford, the brilliant but wayward organist fighting off the unwanted attentions of Ianthe Cavendish, Dean Cavendish's rebellious daughter; Nicholas Elliot, an Old Boy down on his luck and searching for a purpose in life; the Bishop trying to soothe the angry protagonists without taking sides; Sally Ashworth, mother of the leading chorister, fighting loneliness and an absent husband; and Henry Ashworth, whose sublime treble voice may hold the key to saving the choir.

 

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* [[Cast the Expert]]: The BBC TV miniseries adaptation casts St Paul's Cathedral chorister Anthony Way as a chorister for the fictitious Aldminster Cathedral Choir.

* [[Cherubic Choir]]

* [[Child Prodigy]]: Henry is not an intellectual genius, but he is a brilliant singer

* [[Disappeared Dad]]: Alan Ashworth, father of Henry and husband to Sally, is overseas working for most of the movie. His frequent absences and (in the book) infidelity strains the Ashworth marriage.

* [[Fake Band]]: The fictional Choir of Aldminster, played by a [[Real Life]] cathedral choir.

* [[Goth]]: Cosmo Cavendish affects gothic styles, mostly to upset his parents.

* [[Happily Married]]: Almost entirely averted. One could say that unhappy marriages are one of the themes of the book.

* [[Little Boy Blue Note]]: The top line (treble aka soprano) of the Alminster cathedral choir is sung by boys. Henry Ashworth {{spoiler|helps save the choir by recording a record that proves to be a major hit.}}

* [[NEET]]: Nicholas Elliot, at the beginning of the book, is unemployed, has no family to speak of, had recently been kicked out of university, and shows up at Aldminster looking a place to stay.

* [[Rich Bitch]]: Bridget Cavendish

* [[Saving the Orphanage]]: The characters have to find a way to save the cathedral choir when financial problems threaten its existence.

* [[The Cast Showoff]]: In a way. For the TV version, the cathedral choir was played by a real choir, and Henry Ashworth by a real chorister who was an expert soloist, so of course many opportunities are provided to show off vocal talents. This does not distract from the story but was a key component of the original book, and also led to the soundtrack becoming a platinum album.

* [[The Woobie]]: Nicholas Elliot, Henry Ashworth, and Alexander Troy all have degrees of woobiness during various parts of the story

[[Category:The Eighties]]

[[Category:The Choir]]