The last time our Festival Chorus performed was in September 2019. Now, as they come together for the first time in nearly two years, we’re putting the “festive” back into Festival with a magnificent and uplifting program guaranteed to put a smile on every face.
All the ingredients are in place: The two most celebrated composers of the 18th century (sorry Bach, sorry Mozart). Anthems for a king’s coronation. A mass indelibly associated – after the event – with military victory. Trumpets and drums. A grand organ. And a huge chorus with hundreds of singers.
There’s nothing restrained about this program. Handel’s four Coronation Anthems, commissioned personally by George II, are in the grand ceremonial style – majestic music capturing all the pomp and splendour of the occasion. Haydn’s Nelson Mass is remarkable for its boldness and rich dramatic power. And we bring the celebratory spirit into the present with three new orchestral interludes commissioned from emerging Sydney composers. Sublime!
Sunday 22 May | 3pm
Sydney Town Hall
George Frideric HANDEL The King Shall Rejoice
Tomas PARRISH-CHYNOWETH The Fractured Crown*
HANDEL Zadok the Priest
Aidan Charles ROSA Ineffable*
HANDEL Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened
Aija DRAGUNS Lavender Paper Cranes*
HANDEL My Heart is Inditing
Joseph HAYDN Missa in angustiis, Hob.XXII:11 (Nelson Mass)
* Premiere
This performance will run for approximately 2 hours, including one 20-minute interval.
Brett Weymark conductor
Penelope Mills soprano
Russell Harcourt countertenor
Louis Hurley tenor
Christopher Richardson bass-baritone
Festival Chorus
Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra
Premium $112 | A $101 | B $79 | C $58
Concessions: Premium $101 | A $90| B $71 | C $52
A booking fee of $8.50 per transaction applies.
