We are delighted to share with you an extraordinary range of choral works in 2009, including two diverse and major works with The Queensland Orchestra. Apart from performing in Brisbane in top venues, we are delighted to sing for our out-of-town audiences as well. Join us – be uplifted, be inspired!
Download Canticum's brochure for 2009.
PARKING AT ST MARY'S
Demolition of the TAFE site adjacent to St Mary’s and reconstruction as a park means car parking at TAFE is no longer available. Limited public parking close to St Mary’s is available on Main St, Amesbury St and River Terrace to supplement St Mary’s small capacity. Extra time for access, along with car-pooling and public transport is recommended. Thank you for your understanding.
Haydn's Creation
Excerpts (Tea and Symphony Series)
Thursday, 19 November, 11:00 am
Brisbane City Hall
The Queensland Orchestra
Full performance (Maestro Series)
Saturday, 21 November, 7:00 pm (not 8:00 pm as previously advised!)
QPAC Concert Hall
The Queensland Orchestra
Conductor: Johannes Fritzsch
Soprano: Taryn Fiebig
Tenor: David Hamilton
Bass: Stephen Bennett
Choir: Canticum Chamber Choir
Few other major composers succeeded in combining
high spirits with deep spirituality, elegance with power
and touching simplicity with majesty as did Josef Haydn,
whose geniality was surpassed only by his humility. In this,
the bicentenary of his death, The Queensland Orchestra
and Canticum Chamber Choir present his oratorio The
Creation. Written in the grand tradition of Handel, but
with Haydn’s own inimitable voice, it is one of the inspired
masterpieces composed in his old age. Experience the thrill
of stirring choruses and three magnificent Haydn singers.
Bookings through QTIX. (See bottom of page for more information.)
Sing Noël
Sunday, 13 December, 4:00 pm
St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point
Our Christmas tradition continues! In collaboration with Music @ St Mary’s, Canticum brings back its much-loved Christmas concert and picnic, followed by a moving Service of Lessons and Carols. Canticum is delighted to welcome associate artist organist Christopher Wrench for this special occasion. The concert features the glorious Christmas Oratorio by a young Camille Saint-Saens. Full of gentleness and joy, this work will be enhanced by the historical ambience of St Mary’s.
Bring your own picnic to enjoy with friends and family on St Mary’s renowned lawns with stunning views over Brisbane. Then return to the church at 6:00 pm for the FREE Service of Lessons and Carols, giving you the chance to sing heartily and reflect on the coming of Christmas.
Concert Archive for 2009
St Mark Passion - Richard Mills
Friday, 17 April, 7:30 pm
St John's Cathedral, Brisbane
The Queensland Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Mills
Sopranos: Amelia Ferrugia and Aivale Cole
Mezzo-soprano: Elizabeth Campbell
Tenor: Charlie Mellor
Bass: Harry Peeters
Choir: Canticum Chamber Choir
Presenter: Julian Day
Richard Mills has long been a major force in Australian music and this joint premiere of the co-commissioned St Mark Passion for the Tasmanian and West Australia Symphony Orchestras and The Queensland Orchestra is a major event. His compositions extend from operas to a rejuvenation of the ABC’s iconic news theme. A dramatic new direction for Mills, his St Mark Passion is modeled on the antiphonal choirs from St Mark’s, Venice – though it has more in common with Bach’s choral masterpieces. Blending operatic drama with soulful contemplation, it is attuned to the external world of contemporary problems; yet its message is timeless – the sublime and unfathomable incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ.
I Have a Dream
Sunday, 6 September, 3:00 pm
St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point
Concert in conjunction with Music at St Mary's concert series.
Saturday, 22 August, 3:00 pm
Robert Channon Winery, Stanthorpe
Sunday, 23 August, 3:00 pm
St Luke’s Anglican Church, Toowoomba
The themes of peace, hope and triumph over adversity link the diverse works in this programme. You will hear music by renowned musical voices of our time, including Pärt, Copland, Howells, Mäntyjärvi and Tormis, works by lesser-known voices Tveit, Hemberg and Gjeilo and rising star Tarik O’Regan. Moved by significant world events and in honour of the 80th birthday year of the great peacemaker Martin Luther King, Music Director Emily Cox has created this programme to offer the powerful musical experience that Canticum audiences have come to expect.
Battistelli's Miracle in Brisbane
Thursday 1 October - Saturday 3 October, 7:30 pm
Judith Wright Centre of Performing Arts
Produced by Brisbane Festival 2009 www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Conductor: Luca Pfaff
Director: Rhoda Roberts
Canticum Chamber Choir and the Queensland Orchestra, together with an outstanding cast of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, will bring to life the opera Miracle in Brisbane, a major production for the Brisbane Festival 2009. This opera, by the contemporary Italian composer Giorgio Battistelli, depicts the story of a group of homeless people whose shantytown on the margins of the city suddenly becomes valuable through the discovery of oil. Before the fringe dwellers can benefit from this windfall, people with powerful interests conspire to reap the profit.
Milan is the original setting for the opera Miracolo a Milano but Battistelli re-sets this production directly into modern day Australia by using a predominantly indigenous cast to explore themes of marginalisation and dispossession.
Miracle in Brisbane challenges the notion of opera: there is very little singing and the principal characters are mute. As Battestelli explains it: "the poor do not have a voice, nobody listens to them." But this does not mean vocal silence! The singers of Canticum will provide the sounds of protest and suffering with effects ranging from hand-rubbing and foot shuffling, through to murmurs, groans, and sighs. There is even the noise of improvised shelter being slapped together incorporated in Battistelli’s wonderful musical score.
This promises to be a thought provoking and challenging production - an event not to be missed.
QTIX bookings can be made through the QTIX web site or by calling 136 246.
Home | About | Concerts | Recordings | Repertoire | Supporters | Contact Us | Links