A Culwick Christmas!
NCH, December 4th 2018, 8pm
CHANGE OF ARTIST
Please note that soprano Rachel Croash will replace Cara O’Sullivan who is indisposed.
The Culwick is so sorry not to be welcoming back the wonderful Cara O’Sullivan, but delighted and fortunate to have caught the award-winning, up-and-coming Rachel Croash in a gap in her hectic European and Irish schedule.
***
Press Release (Updated)
Special guests soprano Rachel Croash, the Dublin Brass Quintet, and the DIT Youth Choir join forces with the Culwick Choral Society and their award-winning conductor Bernie Sherlock for this year’s unmissable celebration of Christmas featuring much-loved carols, music and songs from across the ages.
The Culwick is proud to present the World Premiere of The Happy Grass by Seán Doherty, specially commissioned by the Culwick to celebrate its 120th anniversary. The choir’s long, long tradition is beautifully reflected in Brendan Kennelly’s poem The Happy Grass which honours the eternal nature of song in human society. This brilliant new piece honours all Culwick singers – past, present and future – and by extension all singers and those who love singing.
And then, following on from the choir’s huge audience hit in December 2015 with Cecilia McDowell’s A Winter’s Night, the Culwick is greatly looking forward to performing another of McDowell’s sparkling Christmas cantatas: Christus natus est. In what will be a most memorable Irish premiere, Christus natus est magically weaves together five favourite carols with soprano soloist, brass ensemble, organ, percussion, children’s choir, and of course the Culwick Choral Society in full voice!
Other highlights of the evening include two sublime Christmas motets from the sixteenth-century by Giovanni Gabrieli, Christmas music from Messiah, Stuart Nicholson’s exciting Lord of the Dance, the traditional lullabye Suantraí with Rachel Croash, a rollicking Rudolph performed by the DIT Youth Choir, and a medley of much-loved carols with the Dublin Brass Quintet.
The audience will be greeted and hosted throughout the concert by our special compère, the outstanding Irish broadcaster Olivia O’Leary.
In all, a lovely evening is in the offing and a delightful beginning to the Christmas season.
For further information, please contact:
culwicksecretary@gmail.com
National Concert Hall, Tuesday 4th December, 8pm
Tickets €6 – €27