Ensemble set to solve musical mystery

THE Allegri Ensemble’s Sing Lullaby a cappella Christmas concert at New Town on Saturday night will feature settings by five composers of the O Magnum Mysterium.

Conductor Andrew Bainbridge said O Magnum Mysterium translated as “how great a mystery’’.

“It is a very old Christmas church text from medieval times about how the beasts see the Baby Boy born,” he said.

“It has been set by dozens of composers since then for Christmas midnight services.

“Our program will include settings by William Byrd in 1607, Tomas Luis de Victoria in 1572, Nicolas Gombert in 1550, John Harbinson in 1992, and as part of Poulenc’s Four Motets for Christmas Time written in 1952.

“All have the same basic ethos and have a sense of wonderment about them, a certain reverence.”

The choir will also sing a setting of the Mass Missa O Magnum Mysterium by Victoria, based on themes from his own music for O Magnum Mysterium.

The program will also include three carol anthems by Herbert Powell: Here is the Little Door, A Spotless Rose and Sing Lullaby.

“Two are very well known and the third is beautiful and should be better known,” Bainbridge said.

“They are lovely, very gentle, flowing modern carols. However, you need a very good choir to sing them. They have some very interesting texts and harmonies with challenging notes to sing.”

Poulenc’s Four Motets for Christmas Time will also be performed, including the Christmas morning carol Hodie Christus Natus Est (“Today Christ is Born’’).

The Sing Lullaby concert will be held at St John’s Church at New Town from 8pm on Saturday. Tickets are $28 for adults and $20 concession, available from Centertainment (phone 6234 5998) or at the door.