Bach & Charpentier – Music for Christmas

Celebrate the season with a concert overflowing with Christmas joy and splendour. No work captures the spirit of a French Christmas more vividly than Charpentier’s Messe de minuit (Midnight Mass), an early Baroque masterpiece woven from the beloved French carols traditionally sung only at Christmas. Filled with infectious energy, warmth and festive dance rhythms, it is one of the most enchanting seasonal works ever composed. 

We then return to Bach Akademie Australia’s roots with two of J.S. Bach’s most uplifting Advent cantatas, music that radiates hope, wonder and joyful expectation in a way only Bach can. 

Under the direction of Madeleine Easton, five of Australia’s finest Baroque soloists join the Choir of St James’ and Bach Akademie Australia Orchestra for a glorious celebration of Christmas music. 

Join us for an unforgettable evening of festive brilliance featuring 38 exceptional singers and instrumentalists, and discover the joy, beauty and inspiration of the season through some of the greatest music ever written. 

Artists:

• Madeleine Easton - Artistic Director, Conductor 

• Susannah Lawergren - soprano 

• Elizabeth Cooper - mezzo-soprano  

• Kyle Stegall - tenor 

• Timothy Reynolds - tenor 

• David Greco - baritone 

• The Choir of St James’, King Street, Sydney 

• Bach Akademie Australia Orchestra 

Program: 

• Marc-Antoine Charpentier  

  • Messe de minuit pour Noël (Midnight Mass for Christmas)  

• Johann Sebastian Bach Two Advent Cantatas 

  • Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62 (Come now, Saviour of the heathen) 

  • Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70 (Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!)