A Classical Christmas

It’s not often you get the chance to hear a new piece of Christmas music. We co-commissioned Sir James MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio, and this Scottish composer will conduct selections from his piece in the spirit of the season. He will also lead the serene voices of the Choir of Trinity College through his other Christmas-themed composition O radiant dawn, alongside selections from Bach’s joyous Christmas Oratorio.
In this program imbued with ancient and modern cultures, Berlioz’s spiritually themed L’adieu des bergers shares the story of a shepherd’s farewell. Respighi’s Botticelli Triptych uses the colours of orchestral instruments to depict the striking Renaissance painting of Venus emerging from her shell, among two other Italian artworks. The concert concludes with the ecstatic ‘Hallelujah’ chorus from Handel’s Messiah. If this leaves you in a festive mood, you can also hear the full oratorio this December when MacMillan leads an all-Australian cast of outstanding solo voices.
Program
MacMillan Christmas Oratorio (selections)
Bach Christmas Oratorio (selections)
MacMillan O radiant dawn
Respighi Botticelli Triptych
Berlioz L'enfance du Christ: L'adieu des bergers
Handel Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Featuring
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Sir James MacMillan conductor
Choir of Trinity College Melbourne
Want to learn more about the music being performed? Arrive early for an informative and entertaining pre-concert talk.
28 November at 1:15pm
Hamer Hall Stalls Foyer