A CONCERT will breathe life into a poem by Thomas Hardy.
The Oxen, which Hardy wrote in 1915 and was included in his novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles, will be performed at Lighthouse, Poole in a lunchtime concert and St Mary’s Church, West Moors in an evening concert on Thursday, December 7.
It’s an old West Country tradition that, whether they are in stalls or in the field, farm animals kneel to honour the birth of Jesus at midnight on Christmas Eve. So fond was Thomas Hardy of the story that as well as including it in his novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles, it also inspired him to write his poem The Oxen.
More than a century later and acclaimed cathedral choir Wessex Consort are to include an original musical setting of The Oxen in two very special festive concert performance.
The 12 vibrant singers of Wessex Consort are widely recognised as rising stars in choral music circles and were brought together under their distinguished conductor, the early music tenor Andrew King, to sing new choral works by Dorset composer Graham Stansfield as well as to revive some more traditional pieces.
The festive programme covers the 500-year history of traditional carols for Advent, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and beyond with beautiful arrangements of favourites such as ‘O Little Town’ and ‘I Saw Three Ships’ as well as ‘The Oxen’ and ‘Why Is the Baby Crying?’ based on Wendy Cope’s poem. The choir will also perform an original carol by Graham ‘I Am the Cat Who Heard His Mother Singing’.
Graham said: “I want to showcase the chronology of carols from Advent, through Christmas Day and Boxing Day, as well as celebrate the many glories of our delightful home county using that uniquely English choral sound.”
The lunchtime carol concert at Lighthouse begins at 1pm and the evening performance at St Mary’s is from 7.30pm and, as well as the carols, will also include musical portraits of Dorset landmarks such as Lulworth Cove, and Dorset life as portrayed in the poetry of Thomas Hardy.
Tickets for the lunchtime concert are £8 and can be booked at lighthousepoole.co.uk, or on 01202 280000. Tickets for the evening concert at St Mary’s Church are £8 on the door and include refreshments.
CONTACT ME:
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e: joanna.davis
@dorsetecho.co.uk
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