Royal Melbourne Philharmonic | Carols in the Cathedral
December 22 2024, Melbourne,VIC
The packed out Carols in the Cathedral is a firm staple in Melbourne’s music calendar, and each year, without fail, RMP Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes, joined by the National Boys Choir of Australia Artistic Director Andrew Bainbridge, and assembled massed forces from across the city – the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir, Melbourne University Choral Society, Box Hill Chorale, National Boys Choir of Australia – the City of Melbourne Highland Band, RMP Brass and Percussion Consort and top soloists, Jesse Link, Peter de Jager, William Schmidt, and readers Roland Rocchiccioli and Julie Houghton, put on a fine show of carols plus.
Over 150 voices created a powerful and uplifting sound equal to the towering beauty of St Paul’s Cathedral. The program was heaving with annual favourites, such as Once in Royal David’s City, The North Wind, Unto Us Is Born A Son, O Come, All Ye Faithful, and Hark The Herald Angels Sing. So many times there was that wonderful sound when the full choir has expelled the last syllable of music but the sound rings on with the organ a distant echo, it’s an energy that is so enriching and exciting to experience. And it was felt many times.
Other head turning moments included the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City when The National Boys Choir of Australia processed into place with their high and light voices, Philip Stopford’s heart stopping Lulla Lully Lullay, about King Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents, and Dan Forrest’s arrangement of Silent Night, which has none of the simplicity of the original, replaced instead with glorious harmonies and weaving instrumental passages.
Shout out to the marvellous Pipes and Drums of the City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band who had audience members tapping to a selection of popular carols, such as Ding Dong Merrily on High and The Little Drummer Boy.
I was so thrilled to see soprano Jesse Linke featured throughout the program. Jesse has a lovely voice, not overpowering or underwhelming, which was quite a feat considering the forces she was paired with, be that the organ in Bach/Gounod’s Ave Maria or the choir and full accompaniment of Adolphe Adam’s O Holy Night.
The brass rocked the Cathedral in Fanfares on Adeste Fideles and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and as always I was happy to sit through until the final chord Widor’s Toccata from the Organ Symphony No 5 Op 42, which was merrily played with great gusto by Andrew Bainbridge and followed by plenty of applause.
Music seemed to pour effortlessly from the fingers of pianist Peter de Jager, from my personal favourite, his yearly medley of much loved Australian carols by William G. James to Schubert’s Impromptu No. 3 in G-Flat Major, which served as background to Roland Rocchiccioli’s excellent and moving lesson on the spirit of Christmas and peace in wartime.
It was uplifting and joyful to see the diversity of singers of all ages and backgrounds, their faces lit up with expression and attention to the detail of the music. So much love and preparation went into the performance. Well done to everyone on and off the stage.
I think I say this each year, but do pop in your diary for next year and take a friend or family member for a real treat. And without giving a homily, there’s always the gift of music and the joy of Christmas that can be had throughout the year, as Julie Houghton encouraged us to do in her annual ‘A Reflection on Christmas’ at the start of the concert, this time on the joy of giving.
A Happy Christmas to all involved and to you, dear reader. May 2025 bring you good health, happiness and lots of music.
