WORLD PREMIERE OF 'I SAW A NEW HEAVEN'

On the evening of the London Marathon, 26th April 2026, a perfect spring Sunday, a sizeable congregation gathered in the Old Royal Naval College Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at Greenwich to celebrate Choral Evensong.

This was a very significant service for the Anglican dispersed community of vowed women, the Gabriel Sisters and our charity, the Gettalife Project, as this was the occasion, in the magnificent setting of the Chapel, of the World Première of a new anthem ‘I saw a new heaven.’

After the pandemic, Sue-Gabriel Talbot, the Foundation Sister of the Gabriel Sisters, had the vision of commissioning an anthem to lament lives lost and to speak of hope for the future. Working with Richard Mallett of Richard Mallett Arts Management, the Project commissioned the internationally renowned composer, Jonathan Dove, to create an anthem on the theme of new life. The anthem is dedicated to Sue-Gabriel. The words are taken from the last book of the Bible, Revelation 21, verses 1-4.

The anthem was brought to us by the choir of the Chapel, drawn from students at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, led by Dr Ralph Allwood and the Croydon Seventh Day Adventist Gospel Choir, led by Ken Burton. That two choirs from such different choral traditions and backgrounds should work in harmony to produce such a magnificent sound is a beautiful and ground-breaking accomplishment. Jonathan Dove was present to hear the first public performance of his work. It was a wonderful experience – a memorable, spine-tingling moment.

Bearing in mind the theme of the anthem – lamenting lives lost and looking with hope to the future - it was very fitting that among the congregation was Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, whose annual Memorial Day took place on 22nd April.

My husband David and I, Trustees of the Gettalife Project, along with Maureen Brathwaite—international opera singer, Gabriel Sister and mentor to the Project—and Bishop Peter Eagles, the Gabriel Sisters’ Visitor, were pleased to make a donation to Baroness Lawrence in support of the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation. The Foundation’s aims align closely with those of the Gettalife Project: to nurture and enable young lives.

The Trustees of the Gettalife Project are really grateful to everyone who gave so generously of their time, commitment and talent to make this special service such a memorable occasion.