Christmas Fantasia

Christmas FantasiaSaturday 5 December, 7pmWellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon General admission $35 (early bird price $30 until midnight 29 Nov) Concession $30 School-aged children free Nota Bene presents: Christmas Fantasia From centuries-old texts to traditional carols given new musical life, this concert explores the many ways composers across different eras and cultures have interpreted the Christmas story. Our programme brings together music from England to Appalachia, with works by Vaughan Williams, Warlock, Dalglish and Ešenvalds. The music ranges from reflective settings and rich harmonies to folk-inspired carols and familiar Christmas melodies. Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on Christmas Carols weaves together traditional English carol melodies, some emerging in the choir and others in the accompaniment. In contrast, Malcolm Dalglish’s Star in the East sets three Appalachian Christmas songs for choir and harp, drawing on a different folk tradition. Joined by baritone Joe Haddow, harpist Michelle Velvin and organist Rachel Malcolm-Swindells, Nota Bene presents a programme that moves between familiar carols and less familiar musical settings. And what better way to finish than by singing some favourite Christmas carols together? As is our tradition, we hope you’ll stay and join us for refreshments after the concert. Rachel Malcolm-Swindells - Organ Michelle Velvin - Harp Joe Haddow - Baritone