The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra

The Sixteen PIC CREDIT Mark Harrison

MUSIC: UK

“Sang with the same combination of talent and unbridled joy that has earned them worldwide fame.” The Guardian (UK)

One of the world’s greatest choir and period-instrument orchestras comes to New Zealand for the first time with two very special concerts. Driven by the passions of eminent conductor and founder Harry Christophers, The Sixteen has been a regular at major concert halls and festivals worldwide for more than 30 years.

They built their reputation on performing early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, bringing fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music and a diverse selection from the 20th century.

For the Festival, The Sixteen presents two stunning concerts. In the first, the choir is joined by the orchestra in celebrating the genius of Handel, concluding with perhaps his best-loved choral work, the uplifting Dixit Dominus.

For the second concert, An Immortal Legacy, The Sixteen choir performs some of the classics of Tudor and Jacobean church music and madrigals together with popular pieces by Britten and Tippett.

Over 100 recordings reflect The Sixteen’s quality and range, spanning the music of 500 years. They have received numerous awards, including the prestigious Classical Brit Award in 2005 for their album Renaissance. IKON was nominated for a Grammy and two Classical Brits. Since 2001, The Sixteen has been building its own record label, CORO, which has recently released its 80th title.

Harry Christophers is also a regular guest conductor for many major symphony orchestras and opera companies worldwide. In 2000, he established the Choral Pilgrimage, an annual tour of Britain’s finest cathedrals, bringing pre-Reformation music back to the buildings for which it was written.

Join The Sixteen for one or both concerts to witness “a tiny soundbite of heaven” (The Times).

The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra

Handel Let thy hand be strengthened (Coronation Anthem)

Silete Venti

Nisi Dominus

Dixit Dominus

The Sixteen Choir

An Immortal Legacy

Thomas Tallis Tunes for Archbishop

Parker’s Psalter

Salvator mundi

O nata lux

O sacrum convivium

Loquebantur variis linguis

Orlando Gibbons The Silver Swan

James MacMillan Sedebit Dominus Rex

Mitte manum tuam

Michael Tippett Five Spirituals from A Child of Our Time

Thomas Morley April is in my mistress’ face

William Byrd Laudibus in sanctis

This sweet and merry month of May

Benjamin Britten Gloriana Dances

The Sixteen is at the Wellington Town Hall on 1 & 3 March for the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival, Wellington, 24 February – 18 March. Tickets $48 – $98 available from Ticketek.

ENDS

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