Creation Concert

Our city’s challenge to create a new Christchurch has led the CBS Choir and Orchestra to present Haydn’s inspirational depiction of a beautiful environment being created out of chaos.

In the first part of The Creation, words from Genesis describe a “new-created world”, concluding with the favourite chorus “The heavens are telling”. Written after experiencing Handel’s oratorios in Westminster Abbey, The Creation has never ceased to appeal to audiences because of its variety of solos, choruses, and orchestral interest.

The other major work on the programme will be Haydn’s Creation Mass. It takes its name from a borrowing of a duet from the oratorio for Adam and Eve during the Gloria, and was to be the second last of the great Mass settings he wrote at the end of his life.

Soloists will include Elizabeth Emeleus, Louisa Pilkington, David O’Beirne, Wally Enright and Chris Whelan. David Williams leads the orchestra, and musical director will be Don Whelan.

Admission will be by programme donation, available at the door.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament musicians enjoy sharing their music with other churches, particularly since the loss of their beloved building. They present a concert at St Patrick’s Church, Waimate, at 5 pm on Friday, July 6, and in St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Dunedin (with its choir), at 3 pm on Saturday, July 7.

In September, the cathedral choir and orchestra set off on their sixth international tour. Over 40 travellers will present Masses and concerts in the major cathedrals of Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo. Opportunities are being taken to develop good musical relationships with representative from the local Chinese, Korean and Japanese communities, and an Asia Tour launch is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, July 14, in the Chinese Church, Greers Road.

Based now at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Manchester Street, the cathedral musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung each Sunday at the 10:30am Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7:30pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at Christchurch Boys’ High School. Sight reading ability is expected. Scholarships and awards, worth up to $2000 per year, are available to suitable applicants. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.