Respighi鈥檚 intimate evocations of Botticelli鈥檚 art, including the central 鈥楢doration of the Magi鈥�, preface Brett Dean鈥檚 festive Christmas cantata, The Annunciation, inspired by and commissioned for the 800th birthday of Bach鈥檚 own Thomanerchor (St Thomas鈥檚 Choir) in Leipzig, where it was premiered. The Annunciation depicts the journey of the three kings from darkness into light, in a four-part work for chamber orchestra and choir. 'Dean succeeds in achieving something that cannot be valued too highly: integrity.' RBB Kulturradio
In the second half Josep Pons presents Strauss鈥檚 effervescent theatre suite for Moli猫re鈥檚 satire Le bourgeois gentilhomme, a showcase for the orchestra鈥檚 stylish versatility.
麻豆社 Singers at Six
6pm, St Giles' Cripplegate
As a prelude to tonight鈥檚 premiere performance of Brett Dean鈥檚 鈥淎nnunciation鈥�, Peter Phillips conducts the 麻豆社 Singers in a programme of English and Spanish Renaissance polyphony inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary.
