Alleluya Choral treasures for Christmas
20 December 2024
Classical Music
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ Chamber Singers perform a treasure trove of a cappella Christmas gems from the Renaissance of Palestrina and Victoria to a world premiere by young Australian composer Aija Draguns – all clustered around the sparkling Advent Motets of Josef Rheinberger.
Please note: this event is not held at the Sydney Opera House.
| Date | Time |
| Friday 20 December 2024 | 7:00pm |
Standard | Price |
| Unreserved Seating | $39 |
Concession | Price |
| Unreserved Seating | $35 |
| Child under 18 years | Price |
| Unreserved Seating | $35 |
$8.95 booking fee applies per transaction
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
The authorised agencies for this event are Sydney Opera House and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Wheelchair accessible
Run time
This performance will run for approximately 90 minutes, with no interval.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Age
Recommended for ages 12+
Useful information:
Also on this page
- Venue information
Alleluya | Choral treasures for Christmas
Spend an hour in the cool sandstone and kaleidoscopic stained glass of St Philip’s on York Street and immerse yourself in an a cappella program of inspired Christmas miniatures from across the ages.
At the heart of the concert is a set of nine Advent motets by 19th-century German Josef Rheinberger. He was court composer to Ludwig II of Bavaria of Neuschwanstein Castle fame, and these motets have that same Romantic fairy-tale beauty, with soaring melodies and rich harmonies. We’ve interspersed them with some rare jewels of the Christmas repertoire, from Palestrina and Victoria evoking Renaissance cathedrals to the music from English choral tradition of Edward Elgar and Herbert Howells and beyond. And young Australian Aija Draguns has composed something new for this musical celebration of the birth of Christ.
Bask in the serenity and purity of unaccompanied voices in this exquisite concert with Sydney Philharmonia’s Chamber Singers and feel the true peace of Christmas spirit.
Program
Aija DRAGUNS Unter deinen Schirmen (Beneath your protection)†
Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA O Magnum Mysterium
Josef RHEINBERGER Nine Advent Motets, Op.176
Edward ELGAR I Sing the Birth
Tomás Luis de VICTORIA Ne timeas, Maria
Elizabeth POSTON Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Raffaella ALEOTTI Angelus ad pastores
Jacob HANDL Two motets:
Natus est nobis Deus de Deo
Canite tuba in Sion
Peter WARLOCK Bethlehem Down
Javier BUSTO Magnificat
Richard Rodney BENNETT Out of your sleep
Herbert HOWELLS A Spotless Rose
Peter WISHART Alleluya, A New Work is at Hand
† World premiere
Artists
Tim Cunniffe conductor
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Chamber Singers
Presented by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Plan your visit
Venue information
Please note: this event is not held at the Sydney Opera House.
St Philip’s is located at 3 York Street Sydney. Enter the church via the door on Jamison Street.
There is no parking at the church. Buses arrive on York Street, opposite, if travelling from the north; or nearby on Clarence Street if travelling from the south. Wynyard train station is 300 metres away; Circular Quay trains, ferries and light rail is a 10-minute walk away.
The church will be open 30 minutes before the concert. Refreshments are available from nearby retail outlets.
St Philips is pram and wheelchair accessible via the gate at the corner of York and Jamison Streets and ramp at the Jamison Street door.
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