This special concert, titled Heavenly Baroque, is the choir’s tribute to its much-loved late Patron, Dame Marie Bashir. It will be held in the Great Hall of the University of Sydney, recalling the choir’s many performances there that Dame Marie so often graced with her presence.

The concert, conducted by Music Director Christopher Bowen OAM, will open with Antonio Vivaldi’s (1675-1741) Gloria RV 589, his most familiar and popular piece of sacred music. Alternately thrilling and reflective, Gloria will be a grand start to the afternoon.

The main performance piece will be the extraordinary Missa Dei Patris by Jan Zelenka (1679-1745).

Born in Bohemia, Zelenka is the outstanding Czech composer of the Baroque period. A close
contemporary of J.S. Bach, he spent a great deal of his working life in the Saxon court in Dresden, where he was employed as a virtuoso of the double-bass (violone) and composer of religious music for the royal chapel (Hofkirche). Zelenka’s music has only become well-known in recent years, and is increasingly admired for its originality and contrapuntal mastery. The Missa Dei Patris dates from
Zelenka’s last years, when he composed his greatest music.

When last performed – in Dame Marie’s presence – by the choir in 2013 in what was believed to be the Australian Premiere this little-known work was enjoyed hugely by choir and audience alike.

This wonderful music will be greatly enhanced by four outstanding soloists: soprano Amy Moore, alto Olivia Payne, tenor Joshua Oxley and bass Leon Vitogiannis.

Music Director Christopher Bowen OAM will conduct the concert.