Voices of Angels ‘Miracles’
The extraordinary events of the 1914 Christmas Truce will be commemorated by Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana National Choirs directed by Lyn Williams OAM, in Voices of Angels ‘Miracles’ this December.
The centenary of this remarkable event that witnessed the silencing of rifles along the Western Front in exchange for seasonal goodwill will be celebrated in evocative performances of songs and carols that momentarily united the warring sides.
The concert will see the world premiere performance of Miracles by Australian composer Ross Edwards, commissioned especially for the occasion. In Miracles, Edwards has contrasted a sublime new setting for children’s voices of the medieval Christmas text Quem Vidistis, with fragments of O Tannenbaum – one of the carols sung during the truce – and sung in the concert by an ensemble of young men close in age to the youngest soldiers in the trenches.
Artistic Director Lyn Williams OAM observes ‘The program of Voices of Angels ‘Miracles’ has captured the hearts of all the young performers
involved with an intensity which I have never seen before. The power and beauty of their singing will enable us to reach back one hundred years and experience this remarkable moment of peace in the midst of conflict.’
Gondwana Choirs celebrates its 25th year in 2014. The organisation was founded by Artistic Director Lyn Williams OAM as the Sydney Children’s Choir in 1989 and has grown to include Gondwana National Choirs and Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choirs. In addition to extensive national and international touring, all three arms of the organisation have come together on several occasions, most notably in July this year with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere performances of Jandamarra – Sing for the Country by Paul Stanhope.
Tickets: Adult $59. Members & Concessions: $45 (additional fees may apply).
Bookings: 02 8256 2222, www.cityrecitalhall.com
