IN 1961, on a warm and still June evening, more than 5,000 people jostled for space in Christ Church’s Tom Quad for an extraordinary open-air concert.

It was the first time Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture was to be performed in the UK as it was intended to be – with cannon fire, cathedral bell, orchestra, military band and church organ.

More than 50 years later, music lovers defied the wet to once again witness the famous overture in all its musical glory with the same captivation – albeit with very different weather.

Try as it might, the torrential rain failed to drown the spirits of thousands of fans who gathered in the historic venue on Saturday to enjoy the rousing performance by Oxford Philomusica, conducted by Marios Papadopoulous.

The concert was part of a programme of weekend events to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee year and mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Borodino.

The battle was the inspiration for Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, known for its volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes and brass fanfare finale.

Among those braving the elements were Duncan Hamilton and Helen Fallside, who said the rain failed to “dampen their spirits”.

And Buckingham’s Anne Jones said: “There is something so moving about hearing it performed with the canons.

“I think everyone had a smile on their face as the last canon was fired.”

On Friday, New Zealand opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the BBC Concert Orchestra also faced inclement weather but valiantly battled against gale force winds to give a stunning performance to a packed quad.

The weekend was set to climax last night with a Gala Concert of British Music featuring six Oxfordshire primary schools, Christ Church Cathedral School pupils and the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra.

Dean of Christ Church the Very Rev Christopher Lewis said: “Those of a certain age may remember the thrilling 1961 concert, in Tom Quad, when the 1812 was also the centrepiece.

“Add the Olympics, our close links with New Zealand – Christ Church led to Christchurch – and our position in the wonderful county of Oxfordshire and the programme was hardly a matter of choice.”