The Shoalhaven Lydian Singers celebrated the Christmas season with two concerts recently.
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One was held in St Patrick’s Church, Berry on Saturday, December 1, and the second at the Nowra School of Arts on Sunday, December 2.
The program featured the Sunrise Mass, by Ola Geilo – a Norwegian composer who exploded on the choral scene in 2007.
This spiritually-uplifting extended work, neither expressly sacred nor secular, uses ancient texts even though the titles of the movements are in English: I. The Spheres (Kyrie); II. Sunrise (Gloria); III. The City (Credo); IV. Identity and The Ground (Sanctus).
A beautiful work, organisers said it was enthusiastically applauded by the audiences on each day. A small local string orchestra added depth to the music, also enhanced by players on double bass, trumpet and flute.
This was followed by a selection of carols, many well-known, but others were new and exciting, mostly on the theme of The Morning Star.
The carols were tied together with some unusual readings from modern poets such as Ted Hughes, Boris Pasternak and Norman Habel.
There were the final concerts by the Lydians’ musical director of some 12 years, Lesley Challender, who, over the years, has generously shared her great expertise with the choir and has brought not only excellence of performance, but also lots of fun to the Lydians.
The choir expressed their appreciation by a joyful and memorable performance of the program.
Next year the Lydians will welcome their new musical director, Katharina Raffelsberger, who come with many years of singing and conducting experience in Europe and now in Australia.
The choir looks forward to new challenges and many more concerts with Katharina.
For more information head to www.lydiansingers.org.au.