Carols for All
Hastings Philharmonic Choir (HPC) will present their annual Carols for All concert on Saturday 16 December at the beautiful Christ Church, Silchester Road, St Leonards starting at 5pm.
Carols evolved from midwinter songs, sung to keep up everyone’s spirits along with dancing and feasting. By the 15th century they were established as Christmas carols. Many of today’s well-known carols were made popular by the Victorians, including O Come All Ye Faithful based on the Latin Adeste Fideles, first translated into English in 1841. Away in a Manger first appeared in the USA in the 1880s though its origins are hazy. The lyrics for Hark the Herald Angels Sing were originally written by Charles Wesley (1707-88) who, with his brother John, founded the Christian denomination of Methodism. The tune we know today was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840.
The choir can trace its history back to 1928, starting with a highly successful performance of Handel’s Messiah. Nearly 100 years later, under its musical director, Marcio da Silva, the HPC has established itself as one of the foremost choirs in the area. While centering on the Baroque and Romantic periods, the choir’s repertoire extends to many twentieth century classics. More recent concerts have included works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini, Brahms, Verdi, Orff, Britten and Lauridsen.
More details and tickets: hastingsphilchoir.org.uk/carolsforall2023
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