A celebration of Christmas music from across the centuries.
The Purcell Singers present an uplifting festive programme inspired by Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Join the choir and harpist Eleanor Medcalf for a celebration of Christmas fayre from the Renaissance to present day, including traditional carols and modern classics.
Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, is a stunning choral work for Christmas, composed in 1942. Scored for choir and solo harp, it sets medieval and early modern English poetry to music, creating a magical atmosphere. The plainchant processions which open and close the piece, match the ethereal feel. Performed by candlelight, it is truly a festive treat.
The programme opens with Jonathan Dove’s The Three Kings, which features on our recent album, A Spotless Rose. The programme also includes traditional carols and other Christmas music, including I Saw Three Ships, Sussex Carol, Paul Fincham’s Ring the Bells, In the Bleak Midwinter and more.
The performance will last approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including interval.
Full programme:
Jonathan Dove The Three Kings
Benjamin Britten Suite for Solo Harp (iii, iv)
Benjamin Britten A Ceremony of Carols
Paul Fincham Ring the Bells
arr. David Willcocks I Saw Three Ships
arr. Ola Gjeilo In the Bleak Midwinter
Rachmaninoff Canticle of Mary (My Soul doth Magnify the Lord) from All-Night Vigil
arr. John Rutter Wexford Carol
Peter Maxwell Davies Lullabye for Lucy
arr. Robert Pearsall In Dulci Jubilo
Judith Weir Drop Down, Ye Heavens, From Above
Elizabeth Poston Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
arr. David Willcocks Sussex Carol
arr. Peter Cornelius The Three Kings
Eleanor Medcalf, harp
Eleanor studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where she was a Classics and choral scholar. As a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for two years, she performed as Principal Harpist under Marin Alsop in Bernstein’s Mass at the Royal Festival Hall. Eleanor is a versatile solo, chamber and orchestral musician. She has performed in major venues throughout the UK including the Royal Albert Hall, Snape Maltings, Symphony Hall Birmingham and the Bridgewater Hall Manchester under conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, John Wilson and Sian Edwards.
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Mon-Sat 10am–5pm
Brighton Dome Ticket Office - Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UE
By phone
01273 709709
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This event is taking place at Corn Exchange (New Road, BN1 1UG).
No unaccompanied Under 14s in the venue.