Join us for an open rehearsal as we prepare for our performances of Bach & Charpentier. This is an opportunity to get up close to the musicians and witness the process of preparing the program. You are invited to stay on to meet the musicians and enjoy refreshments once the rehearsal concludes at 8pm.

Please arrive no later than 6.20pm.

Artists

Susannah Lawergren | soprano

Elizabeth Cooper | alto

Kyle Stegall | tenor

Timothy Reynolds | tenor

David Greco | baritone

The Choir of St James’, King Street, Sydney

Bach Akademie Australia Orchestra

Madeleine Easton | Artistic Director

No piece of music encompasses the spirit of a French Christmas as perfectly as Charpentier’s Messe de minuit, his Midnight Mass. As Christmas was the only time of year when traditional French carols were permitted to be sung in church, Charpentier made full use of them, building his entire mass around these joyous, dancing melodies.

We then return to our roots and round out the year with two of Bach’s most loved and joyous Advent cantatas, bringing the sense of hope and expectation that only this composer can give.

Program

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Messe de minuit pour Noël (Midnight Mass for Christmas)

Johann Sebastian Bach Two Advent Cantatas

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62 (Come now, Saviour of the heathen)

Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70 (Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!)