Dunedin link to wedding ‘magic’
THE mother of a former Dunedin man who sang at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding at the weekend said it was ‘‘magic’’ to see him perform on TV at the most feted event of the year.
Tenor Nick Madden, who began singing as a member of St Paul’s Cathedral choir in Dunedin, has been a lay clerk in St George’s Chapel Choir for the past 10 years.
Mr Madden said it was an emotional occasion and Amal Clooney and the bride’s mother Doria Ragland were clearly moved.
The preacher at the wedding, Bishop Michael Curry, was a ‘‘joyous man’’, Mr Madden said.
St George’s Chapel Choir is made up of 12 professional lay clerks and 23 pupils from St George’s School at Windsor Castle.
As part of the choir, Mr Madden was called on to sing at royal baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries and private dinners.
His mother Robyn Madden, warden at Carrington College in Dunedin, said it was the first royal wedding he had sung at, and it was like a ‘‘dream’’.
‘‘He was enormously excited about the whole thing.
‘‘It was magic, really,’’ Mrs Madden said.
‘‘We never would have thought that he would end up living at Windsor Castle and doing what he’s doing.’’
TV coverage of the wedding focused on Mr Madden performing in the second song, she said.
The choir performed Motet from 16thcentury composer Thomas Tallis and an anthem from modernday composer John Rutter in the chapel.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir performed
Stand By Me at the ceremony. Additional music was provided by an orchestra featuring musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia, along with Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and trumpet player David Blackadder.
Cellist Sheku KannehMason also performed.
At the wedding reception, Sir Elton John sang Circle of Life, Your Song, I’m Still Standing and Tiny Dancer for the couple. elena.mcphee@odt.co.nz