18 Jul 2026

We were delighted to welcome Sir John Rutter to Downside Abbey to launch our 2025 Music Festival.

Abbot Nicholas Wetz welcomed Sir John, on behalf of the monastic community. Sir John presided over a summer’s evening of sacred choral music in our basilica. We were pleased to welcome hundreds of visitors, who came to share the rich architectural splendour of our church and its famous acoustic, filled with works ancient and modern. 

The Downside Abbey Music Festival 2026 is a joint venture between the Abbey and its friends. It serves to highlight the majesty of our basilica church and the splendour of our great Compton organ. We were pleased to welcome guests from far and wide (including America and South Africa) who came to see Sir John and to see our church (one visitor had come from Cape Town to see Sir John within the setting of Downside Abbey!) 

Pontifical Mass will be sung tomorrow with Abbot Nicholas Wetz presiding; the choir of St Mary’s, Wimbledon will sing the Mass, with works by Tallis and Byrd. 

You can read more about the Festival by visiting our Linktree. 

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