« Archpriest Michael Fortounatto celebrated his 90th Birthday »
19-05-2021
Archpriest Michael Fortounatto, who for many years directed the choir of the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in London, celebrated his 90th birthday on May 19th, 2021. Fr Michael is one the most distinguished choirmasters of our time, a composer of Church music, theologian, music scholar and teacher. For 45 years he directed the choir of the London Cathedral, making it famous for its prayerful singing. He was appointed to this role by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh of blessed memory, who held the prayer of the Church in the highest regard. Fr Michael, who places special emphasis on the words sung by the choir and the theological elucidation of the texts, was his faithful co-worker.
Fr Michael has harmonised a great many Church chants, and also composed original works, the most famous of which is the exapostilarion ‘I see Thy bridal chamber’. He took an active part in the work of translation of the Orthodox liturgical texts into English.
Fr Michael worked diligently towards the restoration of the tradition of Russian Church music. Together with the famous choirmaster Archimandrite Matfei (Mormyl), he organised seminars for lecturers in Church singing that were held in Russia between 1994 and 2004. He conducted seminars for choirmasters and choristers in both Britain and Russia, taught courses in the Theological Institutes of Paris and Moscow, and delivered papers in conferences on Church music.
Fr Michael’s creative approach to Church singing became the subject of a dissertation by Natalia Balueva, which she defended at the Moscow Conservatoire, and a monograph The Choirmaster. Destiny and Service. The director Valentina Matveeva made a film Choirmaster (Regent) about him.
Many people love Fr Michael as a priest who prudently nourished his flock and taught children at the Sunday school. He was one of the founders of the diocesan summer camps for children.
Fr Michael retired in 2004 and now lives in France with his wife, Mariamna. He still leads an active creative life, working on subjects related to the theology of Church singing.