Paris

On 10th October 1973 Liz and I were in Paris with Giulini singing Verdi requiem. We sat in the gardens of the Musee Rodin and chatted. She said "Are saying what I think you are saying?" I never actually asked her or got on one knee! Of course we were deliriously happy and the ladies of the chorus who had been watching progress were delighted. On the charter plane back free champagne! We rang Oxford Gardens and announced we were engaged. Dad said "Oh!" Never asked him either! They must have seen it coming a mile off! I recall asking Liz if I had to walk her home which was de rigeur in Africa! She longed for me to kiss her. I was shy and obsessed with music and religion. Mum and Dad were delighted. Later on I announced I would become a Catholic. Dad said "You don't need to do that" but I was determined not to be split at the altar. Liz got permission to come to C of E services (!) at St Mary Abbots and I went to Our Lady of Victories Masses where she sang in the choir. So I started preparation at Ealing Abbey with Brother Benedict the abbot. He was so kind and said "Never abandon where you came from - it's how you got to this point". n our 25th we tried to contact him - he had left and married a widow with 6 kids! I was receieved on a miserable evening in a side chapel - no Easter Vigil for me. Liz's Mum had also been through this when she became RC soon after marrying Dad. In those days their wedding had been a quiet affair so they wanted the best for their daughter. At one meeting I got annoyed and said it was our wedding but it was smoothed over. We bought a lovely engagement ring and the date was set. The programme from the Verdi requiem with the Orchestre de Paris is interesting as Charles Spencer is given as President of the chorus but chorus members are  not listed. The soloists were Scotto, Cossotto, Bergonzi and Arie.