CULTURE CLUB
EDITION’S GUIDE TO
HARK! THE CAMBRIDGE ANGELS SING – EXPLORE THE MOST FINELY TUNED CHORAL ARRANGEMENTS THIS DECEMBER
KING’S COLLEGE CHAPEL: A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS Every year, people across the UK tune into the BBC’s live radio broadcast of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (3pm on 24 December, BBC Radio 4) – and we’re fortunate to live close enough to get an in-house seat. That is, of course, if you managed to secure a place through November’s ballot, which replaced the pre-pandemic approach of queuing outside King’s from the early hours of Christmas Eve. If you weren’t successful this year, fear not – you can listen to the service from the comfort of your own home, savouring the familiar sound of Once in Royal David’s City alongside cosy carols and this year’s specially commissioned new piece.
ALLELUIA!
On 2 December, Gabrieli Roar presents In Dulci Jubilo , a celebration of music by Michael Praetorius and Heinrich Schütz, including choral delights such as Puer Natus in Bethlehem . To send your spirits soaring ahead of the big day, don’t miss Hark! The Herald , an evening of traditional music sung by the Cathedral Choir on 22 December.
Jingle Baroque Eboracum Baroque returns this Christmas for a festive feast of musical hits from the 17th and 18th centuries. This year’s line-up sees the award-winning ensemble perform works by Handel, Telemann and Charpentier at A Baroque Christmas in Wimpole on 4 December, followed by two candlelit performances of Handel’s iconic Messiah in Grantchester on 16 December and at Great St Mary’s in Cambridge on 17 December. “For a lot of people, Messiah is a Christmas staple,” says Chris Parsons, director of Eboracum
hear a lot of detail.” For an even more distilled version, don’t miss the group’s performance at The Church of St Andrew and St Mary in Grantchester, which provides a smaller and more intimate setting. A Baroque Christmas will take place at Wimpole Church, a very familiar bolthole for Eboracum Baroque. “What we love about smaller churches is that the audience is right up close, so they really feel a part of it,” says Chris. “At this year’s concert, we might even get people involved with some singing and teach a wassailing song!” Eboracum Baroque’s upcoming performances make up just a handful of the choral celebrations coming to Cambridge this December. “We’re very lucky in Cambridge that there’s so much great music happening at Christmas,” adds Chris. “The choral scene is such a vibrant part of Cambridge – you can go and watch Choral Evensong every day in multiple venues, if you want to – which is incredible. The fact that it’s still happening is brilliant because it’s a really important tradition.”
Baroque. “It’s always gone down really well – and if you haven’t heard it before then you’re guaranteed 2.5 hours of really amazing music, even if you’re not a classical fan.” Whereas most renditions of Handel’s Messiah feature a full chorus and four soloists, Eboracum Baroque deliver a more pared-back version, with a small choir of ten singers. “This way you get to hear all ten voices, both as chorus and as soloists,” says Chris. “It still really packs a punch when it needs to, but also allows you to
© JAMES BILLINGS
14 DECEMBER 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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