Christmas Oratorio JS Bach - Canticum Chamber Choir and Orchestra - Canticum Chamber Choir, Brisbane
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Christmas Oratorio
JS Bach
Canticum Chamber Choir and Orchestra
Emily Cox, Music Director
Anatoly Frusin, Stage Director
7.30pm, Saturday 12 December
3.00pm, Sunday 13 December
Kelvin Grove State College
Brisbane, Australia 2020
Noise making devices: Please ensure that all mobile phones, pages
and watch alarms are turned off during the performance to avoid
interference with recording equipment and disturbing others.
Canticum wishes to sincerely thank
• Kelvin Grove State College, for making this versatile space available,
and for accommodating us during a long rehearsal period
• Our wonderful volunteers who help with front of house and behind
the scenes
• Anatoly Frusin, for his extraordinary generosity and vision
Canticum Chamber Choir would like to
acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the
Jagera and Turrbal people, and pay respect to
elders, past, present and emerging.
Cover image:
Piero della Francesca The Nativity
c. 1470-75
Performance Guide
Community ⬧ Chorus Jauchzet frohlocket
Anticipation of birth ⬧ Recit Tenor Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit
Intimation of danger Recit Alto Nun wird sein liebster Bräutigam
Aria Alto Bereite dich Zion
Resolve ⬧ Chorale Wie soll ich dich empfangen
Preparation ⬧ Recit Tenor Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn
Defiance Chorale/Recit Bass Er ist auf Erden kommen arm
Wer will die Liebe
Aria Bass Großer Herr, o starker König
Chorale Ach, mein herzliebes Jesulein
A dream of peace ⬧ Sinfonia
Rest on the road
Hope for future Chorale Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht
Recit Ten/Sop Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen
Recit Bass So geht denn hin
Aria Alto Schlafe, mein Liebster
Recit Tenor Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel
Chorus Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe
Seeking refuge Recit Tenor Und da die Engel von ihnen
Chorus Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem
Recit Bass Er hat sein Volk getröst
Duet Sop/Bass Herr, dein Mitleid
Recit Bass So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet
Chorale Wir singen dir in deinem Heer
Dramatic scene: Recit Ten/Bass Da berief Herodes / Ziehet hin
Facing the tyrant Recit Soprano Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn
Aria Soprano Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen
Journey Chorus Ehre sei dir Gott gesungen
Confronting threat ⬧ Recit Tenor Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlem
Obstacles Chorus Wo ist der neugeborne König der Juden
Recit Alto Sucht ihn in meiner Brust
Chorus Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen
Recit Alto Wohl euch!
Chorale Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt
Lone struggle Aria Bass Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen
Recit Tenor Da das König Herodes hörte
Recit Alto Warum wollt ihr erschrecken
Recit Tenor Und ließ versammeln alle Hohepriester
Reassurance ⬧Help Trio Sop/Alt/Ten Ach! Wann wird die Zeit erscheinen
Finding home ⬧ Chorale Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier
Resolution Chorus Herrscher des Himmels
Music Director’s notes—the project Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, composed in 1734, is a collection of six cantatas conceived to be performed on six separate dates leading up to and following Christmas day, outlining the events of the “Christmas story”. The cantatas were composed borrowing much music from his secular cantatas, and they have varied instrumentations, that particular aspect supporting the notion that they were not intended for performance as a continuous work. However, my fascination in exploring the broader dimensions of music underpins my pursuit of interesting and challenging projects for Canticum. In building this production, therefore, Anatoly and I took great care in selecting music from five of the cantatas comprising Bach’s Weihnachtsoratorium, honouring the structure and intent of the music, while refining a narrative - or scenario - to convey the emotional angle we wanted to explore. Key moments of the biblical account of Christ’s birth, the characters surrounding that, including the looming political presence of King Herod, gave us the inspiration to connect this to contemporary realities. The notion of moving toward hope through adversity was a priority in our particular rendering of Bach’s music. In this most extraordinary of years in our world, amongst so much other struggle, performing ensembles have had very rough waters to navigate. I held onto hope than we could bring this production to fruition. The music’s message evolved as a metaphor for perseverance and positivity. That’s what brings us here - the commitment of all involved in making this production possible is in no small part the very reason we are performing today. Approaching this Christmas with the music of Bach delivered with a fresh energy feels like a great privilege! Thank you for being with us. Stage Director’s notes— the concept The inspiration for this staging of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio comes from my experience of being a refugee in Italy when I was 6 years old. My family was one of the very first to be allowed to emigrate from the Soviet Union, and though this was extremely difficult we were permitted to leave and move to Israel. It was from there that we left as refugees, fleeing conflict and ending up stateless and friendless in Italy. We spent 6 months there before being allowed to settle in New Zealand, and celebrated the holidays (for us it was New Year’s) in Ostia, near Rome. My parents, though under a lot of stress and with very limited funds, managed to create a happy time in a tiny windowless apartment with a tiny tree made up of scraps of pine that my father had picked up from the streets and wired together. Today, the much more desperate plight of millions of people who are refugees, whether on the road or at sea, in camps or in indefinite detention, is an issue of vital importance. The Christmas story, a story of a very unconventional family leaving home seeking shelter, finding it in a stable, and then later fleeing murderous tyranny, of ordinary people being forced from home by politics and bureaucracy, has always resonated with me and this was a theme that Emily and I wanted to explore in a dramatic context. The events of this year meant that our plans to stage Bach’s amazing music had to be simplified, but we hope that some of the ideas and above all the emotions that we felt through the story and the music are subtly suggested. We chose the music and the movement to focus on the plight of this family as they go through danger, joy, determination, journey, struggle and finally a return to ‘home’. We hope we can add something to the enjoyment of the music that celebrates this most festive of holidays, originally meant to mark the winter solstice, and I’d like to thank the chorus members who have been so brave and embraced this unconventional approach to singing an oratorio!
Chorus: Jauchzet frohlocket und preiset die Tage Cantata I, mvt 1
Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage, Celebrate, rejoice, rise up and praise these
Rühmet, was heute der Höchste getan! days, glorify what the Highest has done today!
Lasset das Zagen, verbannet die Klage, Abandon despair, banish laments, sound forth
Stimmet voll Jauchzen und Fröhlichkeit an! full of delight and happiness! Serve the
Dienet dem Höchsten mit herrlichen Chören, Highest with glorious choruses, let us honour
Laßt uns den Namen des Herrschers verehren! the name of the Supreme Ruler!
Recit Tenor: Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit Cantata I, mvt 2
Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit, daß ein Gebot von It came to pass at that time, however, that a
dem Kaiser Augusto ausging, daß alle Welt decree went out from Augustus Caesar that a
geschätzet würde. Und jedermann ging, daß er census should be taken of the whole world.
sich schätzen ließe, ein jeglicher in seine Stadt. Da And everyone went to be registered, each to
machte sich auch auf Joseph aus Galiläa, aus der his own city. So Joseph also went out of
Stadt Nazareth, in das jüdische Land zur Stadt Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into the
David, die da heißet Bethlehem; darum, daß er von Jewish territory to the city of David, which was
dem Hause und Geschlechte David war: auf daß er called Bethlehem; since he was of the house
sich schätzen ließe mit Maria, seinem vertrauten and race of David; so that he might be
Weibe, die war schwanger. Und als sie daselbst registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who
waren, kam die Zeit, daß sie gebären sollte. was pregnant. And while they were there, the
time came for her to deliver.
Recit Alto: Nun wird sein liebster Bräutigam Cantata I, mvt 3
Nun wird mein liebster Bräutigam, Now my dearest Bridegroom, now the hero
Nun wird der Held aus Davids Stamm from David's branch, for the comfort, for the
Zum Trost, zum Heil der Erden salvation of the earth, will be born at last.
Einmal geboren werden. Now the Star out of Jacob will shine, its light
Nun wird der Stern aus Jakob scheinen, already breaks forth. Arise, Zion, and give up
Sein Strahl bricht schon hervor. your weeping now, your happiness rises high
Auf, Zion, und verlasse nun das Weinen, above you!
Dein Wohl steigt hoch empor!
Aria Alto: Bereite dich Zion Cantata I, mvt 4
Bereite dich, Zion, mit zärtlichen Trieben, Prepare yourself, Zion, with tender efforts, to
Den Schönsten, den Liebsten bald bei dir zu sehn! behold your lovely one, your beloved, near
Deine Wangen, müssen heut viel schöner prangen, you soon! Your cheeks, must now glow much
Eile, den Bräutigam sehnlichst zu lieben! more radiantly, hurry to love the Bridegroom
with passion!
Chorale: Wie soll ich dich empfangen Cantata I, mvt 5
Wie soll ich dich empfangen How shall I embrace You,
Und wie begegn' ich dir? and how encounter You?
O aller Welt Verlangen, O desire of the whole world,
O meiner Seelen Zier! O adornment of my soul!
O Jesu, Jesu, setze O Jesus, Jesus, place the torch near me
Mir selbst die Fackel bei, Yourself,
Damit, was dich ergötze, so that what gives You pleasure
Mir kund und wissend sei! be known and familiar to me!
Recit Tenor: Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn Cantata I, mvt 6 Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn und wickelte And she bore her first son, and wrapped Him in ihn in Windeln und legte ihn in eine Krippen, swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, denn sie hatten sonst keinen Raum in der since there was no other room in the inn. Herberge. Chorale and Recit Bass: Er ist auf Erden kommen / Wer will die Liebe Cantata I, mvt 7 Er ist auf Erden kommen arm, He came to earth poor, Wer will die Liebe recht erhöhn, Who can rightly exalt this love, Die unser Heiland vor uns hegt? that our Saviour harbours for us? Daß er unser sich erbarm, So that He might have sympathy for us, Ja, wer vermag es einzusehen, Indeed, who could possibly have predicted Wie ihn der Menschen Leid bewegt? how the sorrow of humanity moved Him? Und in dem Himmel mache reich, And make us rich in heaven, Des Höchsten Sohn kömmt in die Welt, The Son of the Highest came into the world, Weil ihm ihr Heil so wohl gefällt, since its salvation pleased Him so much, Und seinen lieben Engeln gleich. and like His dear angels. So will er selbst als Mensch geboren werden. thus He Himself will be born a human. Kyrieleis! Kyrie eleison! Aria Bass: Großer Herr, o starker König Cantata I, mvt 8 Großer Herr, o starker König, Great Lord, o powerful King, Liebster Heiland, o wie wenig dearest Saviour, o how little Achtest du der Erden Pracht! you care about the glories of the earth! Der die ganze Welt erhält, He who sustains the entire world, Ihre Pracht und Zier erschaffen, who created its magnificence and beauty, Muß in harten Krippen schlafen. must sleep in a harsh manger. Chorale: Ach, mein herzliebes Jesulein Cantata I, mvt 9 Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein, Ah, my heart's beloved little Jesus, Mach dir ein rein sanft Bettelein, make Yourself a pure, soft little bed Zu ruhn in meines Herzens Schrein, within my heart's chamber in which to rest, Daß ich nimmer vergesse dein! so that I never forget You! Orchestra: Sinfonia Cantata II, mvt 1 Chorale: Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht Cantata II, mvt 3 Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht, Break forth, o lovely light of morning, Und laß den Himmel tagen! and let heaven dawn! Du Hirtenvolk, erschrecke nicht, You shepherd-folk, do not fear, Weil dir die Engel sagen, for the angel tells you Daß dieses schwache Knäbelein that this weak little boy Soll unser Trost und Freude sein, shall be our comfort and joy, Dazu den Satan zwingen compelling Satan as well Und letztlich Friede bringen! and bringing peace at last!
Recit Tenor and Soprano: Und der Engel sprach Cantata II, mvt 4 Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen: And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; Fürchtet euch nicht, siehe, ich verkündige euch behold, I proclaim great joy for you, which will große Freude, die allem Volke widerfahren wird. occur for all people. For today the Saviour is Denn euch ist heute der Heiland geboren, born for you, which is Christ, the Lord, in the welcher ist Christus, der Herr, in der Stadt David. city of David. Recit Bass: So geht denn hin Cantata II, mvt 9 So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht, Then go there, you shepherds, go, Daß ihr das Wunder seht: so that you see the miracle: Und findet ihr des Höchsten Sohn and when you find the Son of the Highest Un einer harten Krippe liegen, lying in a harsh manger, So singet ihm bei seiner Wiegen then sing to Him by His cradle Aus einem süßen Ton In a sweet tone Und mit gesamtem Chor and with full chorus Dies Lied zur Ruhe vor! this lullaby! Aria Alto: Schlafe, mein Liebster Cantata II, mvt 10 Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh, Sleep, my beloved, enjoy Your rest, Wach nach diesem vor aller Gedeihen! and awaken after it for all the fortunate! Labe die Brust, Let your heart delight, Empfinde die Lust, experience the joy Wo wir unser Herz erfreuen! that rejoices our hearts! Recit Tenor: Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel Cantata II, mvt 11 Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel die Menge And immediately, with the angel, there was a der himmlischen Heerscharen, die lobten Gott throng of the heavenly hosts, who praised und sprachen: God and said: Chorus: Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe Cantata II, mvt 12 Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe und Friede auf Erden Glory be to God in the highest and peace on und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen. earth, goodwill to all people. Recit Tenor: Und da die Engel von ihnen Cantata III, mvt 2 Und da die Engel von ihnen gen Himmel fuhren, And when the angels went away from them to sprachen die Hirten untereinander: heaven, the shepherds said to one another: Chorus: Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem Cantata III, mvt 3 Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem und die Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing Geschichte sehen, die da geschehen ist, die uns that has happened there, which the Lord has der Herr kundgetan hat. announced to us.
Recit Bass: Er hat sein Volk getröst Cantata III, mvt 4 Er hat sein Volk getröst, He has comforted His people, Er hat sein Israel erlöst, He has rescued His Israel, Die Hülf aus Zion hergesendet sending help out of Zion Und unser Leid geendet. and ending our sorrow. Seht, Hirten, dies hat er getan; Look, shepherds, He has done this; Geht, dieses trefft ihr an! go, this is what awaits you! Duet Soprano and Bass: Herr, dein Mitleid Cantata III, mvt 6 Herr, dein Mitleid, dein Erbarmen Lord, your compassion, your mercy Tröstet uns und macht uns frei. comforts us and makes us free. Deine holde Gunst und Liebe, Your gracious favour and love, Deine wundersamen Triebe Your miraculous doings Machen deine Vatertreu make Your fatherly devotion Wieder neu. renewed again. Recit Bass: So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet Cantata II, mvt 13 So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet, Thus rightly, you angels, rejoice and sing, Daß es uns heut so schön gelinget! that it works out so beautifully for us today! Auf denn! Wir stimmen mit euch ein, Up then! We play along with you; Uns kann es so wie euch erfreun. we can celebrate just as you do. Chorale: Wir singen dir in deinem Heer Cantata II, mvt 14 Wir singen dir in deinem Heer We sing to You in Your host Aus aller Kraft Lob, Preis und Ehr, with all our might praise, glory and honour, Daß du, o lang gewünschter Gast, since You, o long-awaited guest, Dich nunmehr eingestellet hast. from now on have become present. Recit Tenor: Da berief Herodes Cantata VI, mvt 2 Da berief Herodes die Weisen heimlich und Then Herod summoned the sages secretly and erlernet mit Fleiß von ihnen, wenn der Stern cleverly discovered from them when the star erschienen wäre. Und weiset sie gen Bethle- had appeared. And he directed them towards hem und sprach: Bethlehem and said: Ziehet hin und forschet fleißig nach dem Go there and seek diligently for the infant, and Kindlein, und wenn ihr's findet, sagt mir's wied- when you find it, report to me, so that I can er, daß ich auch komme und es anbete. also come and pay my devotions to it.
Recit Soprano: Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn Cantata VI, mvt 3
Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn zu fällen, Liar, you seek only to destroy the Lord;
Nimm alle falsche List, You employ all false trickery
Dem Heiland nachzustellen; to supplant the Saviour;
Der, dessen Kraft kein Mensch ermißt, yet He, whose power no man can measure,
Bleibt doch in sichrer Hand. remains in secure hands.
Dein Herz, dein falsches Herz ist schon, Your heart, your false heart is already,
Nebst aller seiner List, des Höchsten Sohn, with all its deceit, very well known
Den du zu stürzen suchst, sehr wohl bekannt. to the Son of the Highest whom you seek to
crush.
Aria Soprano: Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen Cantata VI, mvt 4
Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen Only a wave of His hands
Stürzt ohnmächtger Menschen Macht. topples the impotent power of humans.
Hier wird alle Kraft verlacht! Here all strength is laughable!
Spricht der Höchste nur ein Wort, If the Highest speaks only a word,
Seiner Feinde Stolz zu enden, to terminate the pride of His enemies,
O, so müßen sich sofort o, then how immediately must
Sterblicher Gedanken wenden. the thoughts of mortals be turned aside!
Chorus: Ehre sei dir Gott gesungen Cantata V, mvt 1
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen, Let honour be sung to You, o God,
Dir sei Lob und Dank bereit'. praise and thanks be prepared for You.
Dich erhebet alle Welt, All the world exalts You,
Weil dir unser Wohl gefällt, since our well-being was Your pleasure,
Weil anheut since today
Unser aller Wunsch gelungen, all our wishes have come to pass,
Weil uns dein Segen so herrlich erfreut. since Your blessing so gloriously delights us.
Recit Tenor: Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem Cantata V, mvt 2
Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem im jüdischen When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the
Lande zur Zeit des Königes Herodis, siehe, da Jewish lands at the time of King Herod,
kamen die Weisen vom Morgenlande gen behold, there came sages from the east
Jerusalem und sprachen: towards Jerusalem and said:Chorus and Alto Recit: Wo ist der neugeborne König der Juden? Cantata V, mvt 3 Wo ist der neugeborne König der Jüden? Where is the new-born King of the Jews? Sucht ihn in meiner Brust, Seek Him within my breast, Hier wohnt er, mir und ihm zur Lust! He lives here, to His and my delight! Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen im We have seen His star in the east and have Morgenlande und sind kommen, ihn anzubeten. come to make our devotions to Him. Wohl euch, die ihr dies Licht gesehen, Happy are you, who have seen this light, Es ist zu eurem Heil geschehen! it has appeared for your salvation! Mein Heiland, du, du bist das Licht, My Saviour, You, You are the light, Das auch den Heiden scheinen sollen, that shall shine also for the heathens, Und sie, sie kennen dich noch nicht, and they, they do not yet know You, Als sie dich schon verehren wollen. yet they already wish to honour You. Wie hell, wie klar muß nicht dein Schein, How bright, how clear must your radiance be, Geliebter Jesu, sein! beloved Jesus! Chorale: Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt Cantata V, mvt 4 Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt, Your radiance destroys all darkness, Die trübe Nacht in Licht verkehrt. the troubled night is transfigured with light. Leit uns auf deinen Wegen, Lead us on Your paths, Daß dein Gesicht so that Your face Und herrlichs Licht and glorious light Wir ewig schauen mögen. might always be visible to us! Aria Bass: Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen Cantata V, mvt 5 Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen, Illumine my dark thoughts as well, Erleuchte mein Herze illumine my heart Durch der Strahlen klaren Schein! through the rays of your clear brilliance! Dein Wort soll mir die hellste Kerze Your word shall be the brightest candle for me In allen meinen Werken sein; in all my doings; Dies lässet die Seele nichts Böses beginnen. this will never let my soul initiate evil. Recit Tenor: Da das König Herodes hörte Cantata V, mvt 6 Da das der König Herodes hörte, erschrak er und When King Herod heard this, he was mit ihm das ganze Jerusalem. frightened, and with him all of Jerusalem. Recit Alto: Warum wollt ihr erschrecken? Cantata V, mvt 7 Warum wollt ihr erschrecken? Why are you afraid? Kann meines Jesu Gegenwart Can the presence of my Jesus Euch solch Furcht erwecken? awaken such fear in you? O! Solltet ihr euch nicht O! Should you not rather Vielmehr darüber freuen, much more rejoice over this, Weil er dadurch verspricht, since He has promised through this Der Menschen Wohlfahrt zu verneuen? to renew the happy destiny of humanity?
Recit Tenor: Und ließ versammeln alle Hohepriester Cantata V, mvt 8
Und ließ versammlen alle Hohepriester und And he had all the high priests and
Schriftgelehrten unter dem Volk und erforschete interpreters of Scripture among the people
von ihnen, wo Christus sollte geboren werden. gathered together, and inquired of them
Und sie sagten ihm: Zu Bethlehem im jüdischen where Christ was supposed to be born. And
Lande: denn also stehet geschrieben durch den they answered him: In Bethlehem in the
Propheten: Jewish lands: for thus it is written through the
Und du Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande bist Prophets:
mitnichten die kleinest unter den Fürsten Juda; And you, Bethlehem, in the Jewish lands, are
denn aus dir soll mir kommen der Herzog, der by no means the least among the princes of
über mein Volk Israel ein Herr sei. Judah; for out of you shall come the leader to
me, who shall be a Lord over my people Israel.
Trio Soprano, Alto, Tenor: Ach! Wann wird die Zeit erscheinen? Cantata V, mvt 9
Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erscheinen? Ah, when will the time appear?
Ach, wenn kömmt der Trost der Seinen? Ah, when will the comfort of the faithful
—Schweigt, er ist schon würklich hier!— come? —Hush, He is truly already here!—
Jesu, ach so komm zu mir! Jesus, ah, then come to me!
Chorale: Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier Cantata VI, mvt 6
Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier, AI stand here by Your cradle,
O Jesulein, mein Leben; o little Jesus, my life;
Ich komme, bring und schenke dir, I come, I bring and give to You,
Was du mir hast gegeben. what You have given to me.
Nimm hin! Es ist mein Geist und Sinn, Take it! It is my spirit and mind,
Herz, Seel und Mut, nimm alles hin, heart, soul, and will, take all of it,
Und laß dirs wohlgefallen! and let it be pleasing to You!
Chorus: Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen Cantata III, mvt 1
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen, Ruler of Heaven, hear the murmur,
Laß dir die matten Gesänge gefallen, let the dull songs be pleasing to You,
Wenn dich dein Zion mit Psalmen erhöht! when Your Zion exalts You with psalms!
Höre der Herzen frohlockendes Preisen, Hear the delightful praises of our hearts,
Wenn wir dir itzo die Ehrfurcht erweisen, when we acknowledge our present awe of
Weil unsre Wohlfahrt befestiget steht! You, since our pilgrimage has been confirmed!Emily Cox AM, founding Music Director of Canticum Chamber Choir and Music
Director of the acclaimed symphonic choir Brisbane Chorale, is one of Australia’s
most respected choral conductors. Known for her innovative programming, she
embraces a challenging and broad repertoire. Compelling performances mark her
career, with her focus on choral/orchestral works and choral chamber music.
American-born and educated, Emily later studied at the Queensland
Conservatorium, Griffith University, and has enjoyed further training overseas,
working closely with numerous renowned conductors.
Her work as a conductor, chorus master, and educator places her in demand by professional arts
companies and festivals, as does her reputation as a creative musical collaborator. She was
recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours as Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for
“significant service to the performing arts through choral music”.
Anatoly Frusin is a Russian born, New Zealand raised and Australian based
director and acting teacher. He studied at the University of Auckland, The
Drama Centre at the University of Toronto and is a graduate of the National
Institute of Dramatic Arts in Directing. He has worked extensively at Belvoir
Street Theatre in Sydney, at Opera Australia and other opera companies, as
well as directing many independent productions. In 2014 he staged Neil
Armfield's production of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde at The Kennedy Centre in
Washington DC, and he has directed Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle and Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia
in Brisbane. His collaborations with Kropka Theatre have been seen at many international
festivals, and have been widely awarded. He currently teaches Acting and Performance with Lisa
O’Neill at TAFE Queensland, Southbank campus, in partnership with the University of Canberra,
where they also head graduate theatre collective Robert The Cat. Christmas Oratorio continues a
long collaboration with Emily Cox and the Canticum Chamber Choir: productions include Dido and
Aeneas and Vivaldi's Women of the Pieta for Brisbane Baroque, Lassus' Tears of St Peter, and
MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross.
Canticum Chamber Choir
Devoted to presenting high-quality
repertoire in a diverse range of styles,
Canticum Chamber Choir enjoys a
reputation as one of Brisbane’s finest
choral ensembles. Under the leadership
of founding Music Director Emily Cox
AM since its inception in 1995, the choir
has been honoured to collaborate with
professional companies such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Ballet and
the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra. The group appeared in both seasons of “Brisbane
Baroque”, has sung under the baton of renowned conductors Richard Gill, Benjamin Northey,
Geoffrey Lancaster, Ottavio Dantone and Erin Helyard, and in 2017 / 2018 took part in GOMA’s
“Gerhard Richter: The life of images” exhibition. In 2018 Canticum was part of Griffith University
Queensland Conservatorium’s production of Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand and in 2019
performed Handel’s Israel in Egypt with Brisbane Chorale, Camerata and Graham Abbott.
Membership of Canticum is by audition, and interested singers are welcome to contact us via our
website: www.canticum.org.au.Rachael Griffin was born in California and was awarded various scholarships for
advanced musical training. She won several competitions and awards during
university studies in New York, and continued her studies both there and in London.
Highlights included appearing with the New York Grand Opera at Carnegie Hall,
performing the role of Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with New York Opera Forum,
singing in Peter Seller’s Cosi Fan Tutte at Pepsico’s Summerfare, and working under
the baton of Kurt Masur, Zubin Mehta and Leonard Slatkin. Since becoming an
Australian, Rachael has performed in over 50 different productions with Opera
Queensland as a soloist and chorus member including four regional tours. She has been a soloist with
many renowned ensembles, and has performed roles in musical theatre, sung in the female trio The
Swoon Sisters and with a cappella vocal sextet, Sixophony. Rachael is a founding member of Soirees
Musicales Quintette, which performs 19th century repertoire in 19th century venues.
Anne Fulton is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium (Griffith University)
and has performed with prominent organisations including Opera Queensland, QSO,
Queensland Ballet and the QYSO. Anne has performed as a soloist with various choral
groups while touring throughout Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Europe, the United
Kingdom, Canada and the United States, and has been a soloist in several Brisbane
Festival events including the River Symphony concert with maestro Tommy Tycho, a
semi-staged production of West Side Story with The Queensland Orchestra (Rosalia),
and a concert production of Salome conducted by Simone Young (The Page). Anne made her debut
with Opera Queensland in the role of Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, and Giovanna in Rigoletto.
Other roles with OQ include Olga in The Merry Widow, Wowkle in La Fanciulla del West, and
ensemble member and soloist for Bach’s St Matthew Passion and Brisbane Festival’s Opera on the
Riverstage with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland.
Nick Kirkup has been an active performer in and around Queensland since 2005 and
in 2010 was the recipient of the prestigious $20 000 Joyce Campbell Lloyd
scholarship, which allowed him to undertake further study at the Guildhall School of
Music and Drama in London. Nick has been tenor soloist on numerous occasions for
all of South East Queensland’s major Choral Societies and was the tenor soloist on the
Queensland Symphony Orchestra's 2016 State tour of Handel's Messiah. In 2019 he
sang the tenor role for Canticum Chamber Choir and Brisbane Chorale’s performance
of Israel in Egypt. Nick joined the Opera Queensland chorus in 2016 and has appeared in numerous
productions for the company as well as working as a facilitator for Opera Qld's community workshops.
Daniel Smerdon graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelors
Degree (Cello) and a Graduate Diploma and Master of Music Studies (Opera). Since
2012, he has worked extensively with opera companies in Australia and abroad.
Daniel has sung the roles of title roles of Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Varna Opera
Theatre Bulgaria, and Co-Opera, Adelaide Australia); The Mikado (Co-Opera, Adelaide
Australia) Gianni Schicchi (Opera Gold Coast), Eugene Onegin (Eurasia Opera Festivaal,
New York USA) and Don Giovanni (Lyric Opera Studio, Weimar, Germany). Concert
repertoire includes the title role of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” (Brisbane Symphony Orchestra), Carl Orff’s
“Carmina Burana” (UQ Symphony Orchestra), Handel’s “Israel in Egypt” (Canticum Chamber Choir and
Brisbane Chorale), Hector Berlioz’s “L’enfance du Christ” (St Andrews Sinfonia) and Requiems by
Gabriel Faure, Maurice Durufle, and Michael Haydn.Canticum Chamber Choir
Soprano Alto Tenor Bass
Katherine Fellows Sheena Brockman Adrian Jackson Joshua Blake
Chloe Seungeun Han Susan Dowrie Paul Kennedy Niklas Casaril
Heather Jensen Rhelma Evans Guillaume Lemay-Yates Michael Cooke
Karen Luetsch Katherine Munro Gregori Scanlan Ian Graham
Kirsti Palmer Carol O’Ryan Jeremy Thomson Lionel Hudson
Libby Schmidt Karen Pedley James Tranter David Murree-Allen
Anne Tanner Penny Webb Matt Scott
Donald Stewart
David Webster
Orchestra
1st Violin: 1st Oboe/cor anglais:
Margaret Connolly (concertmaster) Alexa Murray
Camille Barry
Rebecca Seymour 2nd Oboe/cor anglais:
Frank Giraldo
2nd Violin:
Wayne Brennan 1st Oboe d’amore:
Mike Patterson Vivienne Brooke
Eugenie Costello
2nd Oboe d’amore:
Viola: John Connolly
Nicholas Tomkin
Charlotte Burbrook de Vere 1st Trumpet:
John Coulton
Cello:
Dan Curro 2nd Trumpet:
Alison Smith O’Connell Will Foster
Double bass: 3rd Trumpet:
Chloe Ann Williamson Bodhi Scott-Jones
Bassoon: Timpani:
Amelia Cody-Byfield Jacob Enoka
1st Flute: Chamber Organ:
Jonathan Henderson Phillip Gearing
2nd Flute:
Isabel Lopez-RoldanCreative Team
• Emily Cox—Music direction
• Anatoly Frusin—Stage direction
• Wilson Hodges— Lighting Design
Production Team
• Joshua Blake—Production Assistant and Rehearsal Camp Coordinator
• Members of Canticum – Stage Crew
• Year 9 tech crew, KGSC—Lighting Assistance
• Dan Fossi - Stage Manager
Our sincere gratitude...
• Phillip Gearing—principal rehearsal accompanist
• Justine Favell—rehearsal accompanist
• St Mary’s Anglican Church Kangaroo Point, The Old Museum, and St
Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church—provision of rehearsal space
• Ian Graham—musical part/score production
• Anne Tanner—German language coaching resource preparation
• Dan Curro, John Connolly and John Coulton—assistance with orchestra
coordination
• Christopher Wrench and Emily Cox—loan of Klop Chamber Organ
• Bob Dunsmore of Professional Print Finishing—orchestral scores
• Geoff Squires of Pro-Nel Lighting—lighting equipment hireSave the Date!
Good Friday Musical Meditation 2021
Friday 2 April, 5.30pm
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rosalie
Join us for our most popular annual event, in the
glorious acoustic of Sacred Heart. Details will be
available on our website in early 2021.
To support us further...
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to our
Australian Cultural Fund crowdfunding project,
which will remain live until 31 December 2020.
https://australianculturalfund.org.au/projects/bachs-christmas-
oratorio/
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
No contribution is too large or too small.
Thank you so much!
CONTACT CANTICUM
Website: www.canticum.org.au
Email: contact@canticum.org.au
Postal address: PO Box 3029
Tarragindi QLD 4121You can also read
