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‘Journey of Faith’ exhibition of art and religious artefacts

A RARE feast of art and history awaits the many Christians who visit the Gallery of the Asian Civilisations Museum at Empress Place from now until Oct 9, 2005.

The “Journey of Faith” exhibition of art and religious artefacts begins with the main episodes of the life of Jesus Christ and the journeys of the apostles, Peter and Paul, to spread Christianity.

It will touch on early pilgrimages to the Holy Land and later to Rome.

Visitors will learn of the role of the Roman Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena, who journeyed to Jerusalem in search of the True Cross.

They will also see artefacts from the Roman catacombs associated with early Christians, a key highlight being the Sepulchral Stone of Severa, a grave stone from the Christian cemetery of Priscilla, one of the most ancient representations of the Adoration of the Magi.

Another famous piece is the glass medallion with the images of Peter and Paul dating to the 4th century AD.

There are also works of art by such famous painters as Raphael, Veronese and Guido Reni, as well as an interesting selection of Christian material from China, India and Southeast Asia.

It is significant that this is the only second time that the Vatican has sent such a major exhibition to Asia. It has been specially curated by staff of the Vatican Museums and the Asian Civilisations Museum, solely for Singapore.

Tickets, which can be obtained at the exhibition in Empress Place, are at $6 for adults, and $4 for students and senior citizens.

In conjunction with the exhibition are a number of events of special interest to Methodists. These include:

◆ A talk on “Protestant Missions to South and Southeast Asia” by Associate Professor Robbie Goh, Head of the English Literature Department at the National University of Singapore, on Aug 25 from 7 pm to 8 pm at Empress Place.

Dr Goh will examine some of the more interesting developments in the history of Protestant missions to the countries of South and Southeast Asia, and consider their continuing impact on these countries today.

Free admission, donations appreciated.

◆ A Sacred Music Festival, which will include: I Solisti Veneti, one of the finest chamber orchestras performing sacred music by Vivaldi, Paganini, Tartini and Bach, conducted by legendary director Claudio Scimone.

The concert will be held at the Victoria Concert Hall on July 13. Tickets $38-$98 from SISTIC (6348-5555).

◆ Mendelssohn’s Elijah, the dramatic sacred oratorio celebrating the prophet Elijah and was Mendelssohn’s last major work. Conducted by John Nelson with a combined choir of the Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Bible College Chorale and Hallelujah Chorus prepared by Lim Yau, it will be held at the Esplanade Concert Hall on Sept 30 and Oct 1. Tickets $12-$62 from SISTIC.

◆ Performances by Local Church Choirs at Empress Place on June 19, July 3 and 31, Aug 20, Sept 4, 17 and 25, and Oct 2 and 9 from 2 to 3 pm.

◆ Exultate Deo, a concert by Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Chamber Orchestra in collaboration with the Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Chorus featuring the best loved works by Handel, Corelli and Vaughn Williams, at Tan Chin Tuan Auditorium (ACS I, Dover Road), on July 23 at 7.30 pm.

Tickets $8 and $10 from ACS (I) front office (6773-1633, 6870-0419).

HELD IN CONJUNCTION

■ Talk on “Protestant Missions to South and Southeast Asia”

■ Sacred Music Festival featuring:

• I Solisti Veneti

• Mendelssohn’s Elijah

• Local Church Choirs

• Anglo-Chinese Schoool (Independent) Chamber Orchestra

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