Ireland Live from London Christmas – A Whisper of Paradise: Anúna. St Bartholomew’s Church, Dublin, recorded in December 2020 and livestreamed (for information click here) on 20.12.2020. (CC)
Colin Clarke
Bravo to all concerned for AAM’s Barbican Messiah at this time of contemplation
United Kingdom Handel, Messiah, HWV 56: Rowan Pierce (soprano), Iestyn Davies (countertenor), Ben Johnson (tenor), Ashley Riches (bass). Choir and Orchestra of the Academy of Ancient Music / Richard Egarr (director / harpsichord). Livestreamed from London’s Barbican Hall, 19.12.2020. (CC)
(c) Mark Allan/Barbican
A very different, and fabulous, Christmas concert from amarcord in Leipzig
United Kingdom Live from London Christmas – Weihnacht: Christmas from Germany: amarcord (Wolfram Lattke, Robert Pohlers [tenors], Frank Ozimek [baritone], Daniel Knauft, Holger Krause [basses]) Nikolaikirche, Leipzig, 19.12.2020. (CC)
A superb Christmas at Westminster Abbey progamme: what music could be sweeter?
United Kingdom Live from London Christmas, Christmas at Westminster Abbey – What Sweeter Music: Catherine Bott (reader), Sally Price (harp), Peter Holder organ), The Choir of Westminster Abbey / James O’Donnell (director). Livestreamed via VOCES8 Foundation (click here), 15.12.2020. (CC)
A Cadogan Hall thinned-down Messiah of bright hope from VOCES8, ECO, and high-profile soloists
United Kingdom Handel, Messiah HWV 56 (shortened version): Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Iestyn Davies (countertenor), Andrew Staples (tenor), Matthew Brook (bass), VOCES8, English Chamber Orchestra / Nicholas Kraemer (director / harpsichord). Cadogan Hall, London, 11.12.2020. Streamed via Live from London Christmas (click here). (CC)
Teatro Comunale di Bologna’s Cav & Pag provides the shot of versimo we surely need
Italy Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Cavalleria rusticana / Pagliacci: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna / Frédéric Chaslin (conductor). Originally livestreamed (9.2.2020) on OperaStreaming by Edunova. This was reviewed on YouTube and it is available via SoundCloud. (CC)
The Tallis Scholars are at the top of their game gifting us some true glories of the polyphonic age
United Kingdom Live from London Christmas – The Tallis Scholars: The Tallis Scholars / Peter Phillips (conductor). VOCES8 Centre, London, 12.12.2020. (CC)
Beautifully rhythmically sprung and full of life singing from Apollo5 Live from London at Christmas
United Kingdom Live from London Christmas – The Crimson Sun: Apollo5 (Penelope Appleyard [soprano], Clare Stewart [mezzo-soprano], Josh Cooter, Oli Marin-Smith [tenors], Greg Link [bass]). Livestreamed from VOCES8 Centre, London, 6.12.2020. (CC)
