Faire is the Heaven: UK Tour Preview Concert

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
  • St Andrew’s Cathedral
  • Run time: 60 minutes Subject to change

Faire is the Heaven: UK Tour Preview Concert

See what the Choirs will perform when Brett Weymark and the 150 voices of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs present the stirring program of inspiring hymns and anthems they are taking to England later in July. On the bill is Parry’s I Was Glad and Gardiner’s Evening Hymn, transcendent works written for coronations, jubilees, and services in great English cathedrals – and right at home in Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral. 

The centrepiece and namesake of the concert – Sir William Harris’s sublime Faire is the Heaven – sets words by poet Edmund Spenser (from An Hymne of Heavenly Beautie, 1596) in music of ‘endlesse perfectnesse’. It’s a flawless exemplar of stirring music that creates an atmosphere for prayer, contemplation and rich emotional response. 

And for some Aussie flavour, the program features premieres of works by composers Alice Chance and Joe Twist. These works sit firmly within the sacred tradition but are coloured with a distinctive Australian voice. 

Presented by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Event details

...a chorus of angels...it all felt like shimmering silver clouds in the distance slowly building and moving closer.

ClassikOn

Program

Hubert PARRY I Was Glad                              

Joe TWIST Magnificat             

Arthur BLISS Sing Mortals                              

John IRELAND Greater Lover Hath No Man   

Alice CHANCE Sanctus                         

William HARRIS Faire is the Heaven              

TRADITIONAL arr. by Alice Chance
Adira Arenio (O Lamb of God) – Traditional language hymn from Mer Island

Alice CHANCE Agnus Dei

Edgar BAINTON And I Saw a New Heaven     

Henry Balfour GARDINER Evening Hymn      

Joe TWIST Nunc dimittis

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS  
The Old One Hundredth Psalm Tune  

Adira Arenio, a traditional language hymn, is the cultural and intellectual property of the Mer Island people (Murray Island, Torres Strait), arranged with the consent of Noel Zaro OAM, Kaylynn Zaro OAM and Mer Elders. 

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Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Cnr of George and, Bathurst St

Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

Please note this venue is not located at Sydney Opera House.

Location and access

St Andrew’s Cathedral

Cnr of George and, Bathurst St, Sydney NSW 2000

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