A night of majesty. A celebration of Christmas.

Let the soaring voices, magnificent organ and glorious sounds of the season fill the sacred space of St Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton.

Join Hamilton Civic Choir for an unforgettable evening of choral splendour, featuring: Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël, one of the most distinctive and charming Christmas works of the French Baroque. Written around 1690, the Mass combines the grandeur of sacred polyphony with melodies drawn from traditional French Christmas carols, or noëls. Rather than treating the familiar tunes as simple decorations, Charpentier weaves them into the structure of the Mass, creating a joyful dialogue between the ancient liturgy of Christmas and the popular music known to worshippers of his day. With recorders played by Dr Imogen Morris and Jessica Shaw. The cathedral organ will be brought to life again by Dr Rachael Griffiths-Hughes MNZM.

The second piece, Hodie Christus natus est, “Today Christ is born”, comes from the ancient liturgy for Christmas Day. Healey Willan’s setting transforms these jubilant words into a brilliant and highly expressive piece of twentieth-century choral writing. And finally the one we all love dearly, G. F. Handel’s Messiah - Part I.

The choir is delighted to work with soloists: Soprano - Jasmine Jessen, Mezzo-soprano - Elisha Fa’i-So’oialo, Tenor - Andrew Grenon and Baritone - Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono. Few works are as closely associated with Christmas as Handel’s Messiah. Composed in 1741, this monumental oratorio tells the story of Christ through Scripture, tracing the promise of the Messiah, his birth, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection. Part I, which centres particularly on the prophecy and birth of Christ, has become a beloved part of Christmas musical tradition. Bringing the evening to a resounding close will be Handel’s triumphant and glorious “Hallelujah” Chorus from Messiah.

Christmas begins with a song! Kia Tipu O Ngaa Waiata, Let the Songs Flourish with The Hamilton Civic Choir

Don’t miss out, space is limited—buy your tickets online from Humanitix.

WHEN: Saturday 5 December, 5:00 PM
WHERE: St Peter's Cathedral, Hamilton
TICKETS: Adult $40, Concession/Uni Student $30, Child/Student Rush (at the door with ID) $10, Family (2 adults + 2 children) $85 (excl. ticket platform fees)
PRE-SALES: Tickets available via Humanitix
DOOR SALES: Subject to availability via cash or EFTPOS

Kia Tipu O Ngaa Waiata: Let the Song Flourish

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Hamilton Civic Choir