Christ Church to Present Afternoon of Sacred Song

At 2.30pm Sunday 18 September Soprano Naomi Hede and organist Andrew Georg present an afternoon of sacred song for voice and organ. The centrepiece is the seldom heard, hauntingly beautiful, O Domina Nostra for soprano and organ composed by Henryk Górecki; a monumental meditation built on prayers to "Our Lord" and "Our Lady."

Górecki wrote this deeply-felt, powerful work in 1985 as a personal expression of gratitude to the Madonna of Jasna Gora (The Black Madonna) whom he credited with saving his life after a serious illness and operation in 1982.

As the title suggests, the piece is a very quiet, devout meditation where the voice of the soprano rises above organ chords, showing great resemblance to the mood known from Górecki's Symphony No. 3,

The program of beautiful sacred music continues with works by Arvo Pärt, JS Bach, Gounod and Mozart.

Soprano Naomi Hede graduated from the Elder Conservatorium and continued her studies with vocal coaches in Edinburgh and London where she was awarded the Aldeburgh Festival of Music and Arts Hesse Scholarship.

She has performed as a guest soloist with many Adelaide choirs and orchestras and recently performed the role of Pamina in the State Opera of South Australia's production of The Magic Flute. She is also a graduate of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation Opera Program.

Andrew Georg is a versatile South Australian musician whose career encompasses church music, opera, choral music, and accompanying.

Andrew grew up in the Barossa Valley, surrounded by many fine pipe organs and a vibrant community music scene. He completed a Bachelor of Music degree at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and was Organ Scholar at St Peter's Cathedral and Pilgrim Church, Adelaide.

Since 2013, Andrew has been the Organist and Choir Director at Christ Church North Adelaide.

Andrew also works as a Répétiteur for the State Opera of South Australia. In 2014 Andrew won the Geoffrey Parsons' Award for accompanying, Australia's most prestigious award for the collaborative pianist.

The next presentation at Christ Church North Adelaide will be a Pipe Organ Recital by Shirley Gale 5pm Saturday October 15. Recital to be followed by a Champagne Supper.

Christ Church's wonderful pipe organ is given centre stage in this special concert by Shirley Gale, Organist Emeritus of St Peter's Cathedral.

Shirley will perform some of her favourite organ works from her expansive repertoire .

Tickets: Adult $25 / Concession $20 www.trybooking.com/LXRL or at the door

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 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, the maintenance of the pipe organ, and the commissioning of new musical works.

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

Concerts at Christ Church North Adelaide are sponsored by Cucina North Adelaide and Romeo's North Adelaide.

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