Name: Joyeux Noël! French music for Christmas
Start: 2024-12-06T19:30:00+13:00
Location: Knox Church, Dunedin

$Joyeux No\u00ebl! French music for Christmas$

Conductor: David Burchell
Soloists: Cathy Highton-Sim, Tessa Romano, Claire Barton, Alex McAdam, Robert Tucker
Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, with Micah Xiang on the organ
Step into the holiday season with a festive concert that captures the spirit of Christmas through the rich tradition of French music. Under the masterful baton of David Burchell, City Choir Dunedin, a Dunedin Symphony Orchestra ensemble, organist Micah Xiang and an exceptional line-up of soloists will bring timeless works from the French repertoire to life.
We are particularly happy to welcome back Robert Tucker as one of five soloists. Raised in Dunedin, Robert completed a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Otago and spent time in Australia and the United Kingdom before returning home to New Zealand in 2012, where he has forged a career in both Australia and New Zealand.
“Robert Tucker is wildly talented. In a conventional part, his deliciously resonant baritone warms your cockles, and his charismatic and sensitive characterisation brings a part to life. He is, truly, a brilliant operatic star” – from a recent review in The Wellingtonista.
Robert is joined by four other exceptional soloists: soprano Cathy Highton-Sim, mezzo-sopranos Tessa Romano and Claire Barton and tenor Alex McAdam.
An exquisite solo quintet features in Delalande’s “Christe Redemptor Omnium” which he composed in 1690 and which is sung in Latin. The concert includes traditional Provençal melodies like “Patapan” and “Berger, secoue ton sommeil profonde”, and stunning choral pieces by Francis Poulenc such as “Hodie Christus natus est” and “O magnum mysterium”.
Also on the programme are excerpts from Camille Saint-Saëns' “Oratorio de Noël” and selections from Hector Berlioz's “L’enfance du Christ”, including the poignant “L’adieu des bergers à la Sainte Famille”. The audience will be able to enjoy the well-known, beloved “Cantique de Noël” ("O Holy Night") by Adolphe Adam, and much more. The beautiful music for this concert spans from the 17th to the 20th centuries and genres from the Baroque to late Romantic as well as traditional Christmas carols.
This will be an exhilarating concert offering peace and joy to the audience this Christmas. Tickets are selling fast, so book yours now and experience the magic of a French “Noël” right here in Dunedin!