Saturday 6th December 2025 : 6pm
St John's Church, Newbury, RG14 7PY
Gloria
Vivaldi : Gloria RV 589
Handel - Gloria
James MacMillan - O Radiant Dawn
Sally Beamish - In the stillness
and other contemporary carols
Musical Director - Ben de Souza
Soprano - Milly Forrest
Soprano - Hannah Dienes-Williams
Members of St Barts Senior Choir
To round off 2025 we return to our usual and favourite venue, St John the Evangelist, Newbury for an early evening concert of beautiful baroque and contemporary music.
The first half of the evening celebrates the radiant brilliance of the Baroque. We begin with Antonio Vivaldi's famous Gloria. Remarkably, this work was relatively unknown until its revival by Alfredo Casella during "Vivaldi Week" in Siena (1939). Today it is recognized as a masterpiece of Baroque brilliance that captures the spirit of joy and praise. For this performance we are joined by members of the senior choir of St Bart's school, as well as our two fabulous young soloists Milly Forrest and Hannah Dienes-Williams. We follow with George Frideric Handel’s youthful Gloria, a cantata for soprano solo and orchestra, rediscovered only in the 21st century. It dazzles with virtuosity and exuberance, offering a glimpse of the fiery genius who would become one of history’s greatest composers. Rising star of the opera world, Milly Forrest, sings the radiant and lyrical soprano solo.
For the second half of the evening we move into Advent with a set of contemporary carols, including compositions being presented widely for the very first time as well as those by established composers.
James MacMillan’s O Radiant Dawn, part of his Strathclyde Motets, glows with luminous harmonies and a sense of hushed awe, capturing the longing for light in the darkest days of winter. It is a setting of the English version of O Oriens. It is both modern and ancient at the same time, with harmonies reminiscent of Tallis' O Nata Lux. Sally Beamish’s In the stillness unfolds with serene simplicity, its repeated phrases building a meditative atmosphere that draws the listener into a moment of deep peace.
Tickets available online or on the door. Adults £15. Under 18's free.
The first half of the evening celebrates the radiant brilliance of the Baroque. We begin with Antonio Vivaldi's famous Gloria. Remarkably, this work was relatively unknown until its revival by Alfredo Casella during "Vivaldi Week" in Siena (1939). Today it is recognized as a masterpiece of Baroque brilliance that captures the spirit of joy and praise. For this performance we are joined by members of the senior choir of St Bart's school, as well as our two fabulous young soloists Milly Forrest and Hannah Dienes-Williams. We follow with George Frideric Handel’s youthful Gloria, a cantata for soprano solo and orchestra, rediscovered only in the 21st century. It dazzles with virtuosity and exuberance, offering a glimpse of the fiery genius who would become one of history’s greatest composers. Rising star of the opera world, Milly Forrest, sings the radiant and lyrical soprano solo.
For the second half of the evening we move into Advent with a set of contemporary carols, including compositions being presented widely for the very first time as well as those by established composers.
James MacMillan’s O Radiant Dawn, part of his Strathclyde Motets, glows with luminous harmonies and a sense of hushed awe, capturing the longing for light in the darkest days of winter. It is a setting of the English version of O Oriens. It is both modern and ancient at the same time, with harmonies reminiscent of Tallis' O Nata Lux. Sally Beamish’s In the stillness unfolds with serene simplicity, its repeated phrases building a meditative atmosphere that draws the listener into a moment of deep peace.
Tickets available online or on the door. Adults £15. Under 18's free.