Christ Church Announces Annual Christmas Lineup

As the Christmas season reaches its peak, with the hustle and bustle of shopping, food preparation and present buying, the final 2015 Concerts at Christ Church, North Adelaide and the seasonal program of traditional services gives a timely reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

The performance is:.2.30pm 20 December 2015
Tickets: $30 and $25
At door or http://www.trybooking.com/HHSI

A highlight of this Christmas season at Christ Church, North Adelaide is Nativity Story presented by Graduate Singers which retells the story of the Nativity.

The major work is Ottorino Respighi's Lauda per la Nativita for soloists, choir, woodwind and piano. Described as "a beautiful pastoral cantata depicting the birth of Jesus".

The work was composed between 1928 and 1930 from a text attributed to a Franciscan priest, Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306) and taken from an anonymous collection, Lauda Umbra. A medieval hymn of praise of the birth of Jesus: "God incarnate, come to save the world from sin, in the form of a helpless babe, watched over by Mary, his mother, and Joseph, her spouse." Respighi was born in Bologna in 1879 and died in Rome in 1936.

A premiere for South Australia is work by English composer Howard Blake who is a prolific composer best known for his film scores. Blake employs his gift for melody with flair in his Four Songs of the Nativity for the choir and wind ensemble.

Soloists are: Soprano - Brooke Window; Mezzo-Soprano - Emma Horwood and Tenor - Norbert Hohl

For those wishing to fully explore and experience the Christmas celebrations there are a series of traditional services taking us to Christmas Day.

Church organist and artistic director Andrew Georg explains: "The celebration at Christ Church starts with Advent in November and continues with traditional Christmas services bringing the church together with families and congregation continuing the church's long tradition of music from both the choir and organ.

"Christmas really begins for us 6pm Sunday November 29 with the popular, traditional Advent Carol Service. This year there is to be a special focus of prayer and support for the principal mission agencies of the Australian Board of Mission, Bush Church Aid, and the Church Missionary Society. Carols are sung by the congregation and choir, with visiting organist Shirley Gale. A special treat is the performance of a new work by SA composer Sebastian Phlox which was commissioned by Christ Church.

"A special event will be the Nativity Story concert with Graduate Singers on Sunday 20 December. The Graduate Singers also present this concert at St Peter's Cathedral on Saturday 12 December 7:30pm.

"Christmas Eve starts at 5pm with the Family Crib Service. A special service for families and children, telling the story of Christmas; singing favourite carols, and there's a petting zoo and donkey rides for the children. A highlight of the church year is Midnight Mass at 11:30pm: this is the central celebration of Christmas, a full choral Midnight Mass.

"Friday December 25 9:00am Christmas Day there is the Choral Eucharist. Then, we can all go home and enjoy Christmas lunch."

CHRIST CHURCH NORTH ADELAIDE 62-72 Jeffcott St, North Adelaide
08 8267 2673 (Wed-Fri) office@ccna.asn.au www.ccna.asn.au

Christ Church North Adelaide
The charming, historic Christ Church North Adelaide is built in the Anglo-Norman style, of cruciform shape, and served as the pro-Cathedral of the diocese prior to the opening of St Peter's Cathedral in 1877. The church was consecrated in December 1849.

The choir and musical life at Christ Church is supported by the David Gallasch Memorial Music Trust. The David Gallasch Memorial Music Trust was established in 2012, in recognition of David's outstanding contribution to the musical life of Christ Church, where he was choral director and organist for 45 years. The Trust fosters traditional church music, supporting Choral Scholarships, and the maintenance of the pipe organ.

The fine acoustics and splendid visual aspects of Christ Church have proven popular for performances and recordings, the church being a particularly favourable venue for choral music, chamber music, and organ recitals.

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