1963: Dr Dixon's Panis Vitae

On this day in 1963 the Ashton Hall was the venue for the first north of England performance of 'Panis Vitae', a Eucharistic Oratorio by the Cathedral's musical director, Dr J. H. Reginald Dixon. The programme says of the work, "This lovely and deeply spiritual work was first produced in the Concert Hall, Munich in August, 1960 and afterwards at the Central Hall, Westminster in July, 1961." We will hear more of Dr Dixon next month as we mark 100 years since his appointment to St Peter's in May 1909. For now, though, a few more words from the programme for this concert will give us a sense of his importance: "The 76 year old composer is Resident Organist to the Lancaster City Corporation and Organist at St. Peter's R.C. Cathedral for more than 50 years and has been internationally famous for his Church Music."