SEASON 2011-2012 - CONCERT 2

Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 8 pm St. Joseph's Church (Wilbrod at Cumberland) THE JOURNEY OF THE MAGI As we journey toward the manger, celebrated broadcaster Eric Friesen opens this evening's programme with a reading of The Journey of the Magi, T.S. Eliot's enigmatic contemplation of the meaning of the nativity.  An anthology of beautiful carols re-interprets the biblical story of the three star-led chiefs who traveled far to behold the fulfillment of an ancient promise. Three Kings, Peter Cornelius Lo, Star-Led Chiefs, William Crotch I saw Three Ships, Reginald Jacques Three Kings, Healey Willan Coventry Carol, arr. Matthew Larkin Huron Carol, arr. Kevin Reeves Lullay, lulla, Kenneth Leighton SAINT NICOLAS CANTATA BY BENJAMIN BRITTEN Britten's magnificent cantata chronicles the life and miracles of the legendary holy magician Saint Nicolas - who does all things in threes - the holy number of the Trinity.  With his three purses of gold, Nicolas redeems the lives of three young maidens; he rescues three sailors from a perilous storm at sea; and restores to life three small 'pickled' boys destined for the dinner plate! The great English tenor Sir Peter Pears created the role of Nicolas.  By all accounts, tonight's Nicolas, Canadian tenor James McLean, will reincarnate the beloved saint with the same lyric beauty and gravitas that Pears brought to the role. Matthew Larkin and Kevin Reeves, conductors Eric Friesen, narrator James McLean, tenor Phillip Holmes, baritone Boys of Christ Church Cathedral Choir Ottawa Children's Choir Ottawa Music Company Orchestra