Come and join us in celebrating the start of Advent and the lead up to the festive season with a musical celebration of Christmas and the joy of choral singing.
The centrepiece of this varied Christmas concert will be Saint-Saëns’ lyrical, colourful and richly orchestrated Oratorio de Noël. This work will be complemented by a variety of smaller works and traditional carols. Enjoy, relax and listen to what is, quite simply, good music from many ages.
Camille Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio (Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12), composed in 1858, is a radiant and lyrical work for soloists, chorus, organ, strings and harp. Written when Saint-Saëns was just 23, it reflects the influence of Bach and Gounod, blending Baroque structure with Romantic warmth. The oratorio sets Latin texts from the Christmas liturgy, beginning with a serene prelude for organ and strings, followed by ten short movements featuring arias, duets and choral sections. With its gentle pastoral tone and expressive solos, the piece captures the spiritual intimacy of the Nativity, offering a meditative alternative to more grandiose Christmas music.
"Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison" (Christmas for Children Who No Longer Have a Home) is a short, unusual piece by Claude Debussy. Written in 1915, it takes the view of children who lost everything in WW1.
A selection of carols will also be performed, some new arrangements of old favourites, others entirely new and all stirring and reflective. A wonderful start to the season of Christmas.
The concert will take place at 7pm on Saturday November 29th at St Thomas’ Anglican Church North Sydney.
Music Director Christopher Bowen OAM will conduct the concert.
Soloists:
Soprano: Lana Kains
Mezzo: Rebecca O’Hanlon
Alto: Catherine O’Doherty
Tenor: Joshua Oxley
Baritone: Simon Lobelson

TICKETS: $65 General Admission
$45 Pensioners (not Seniors Card)
$25 Children 16 and under & full-time students
BOOKINGS: Purchase at the door from 6:15pm, or advance purchase at https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist/sydneyunigraduatechoir