Bach & Charpentier
Celebrate the season with a concert overflowing with Christmas joy and splendour. No work captures the spirit of a French Christmas more vividly than Charpentier’s Messe de minuit (Midnight Mass), an early Baroque masterpiece woven from the beloved French carols traditionally sung only at Christmas. Filled with infectious energy, warmth and festive dance rhythms, it is one of the most enchanting seasonal works ever composed.
We then return to Bach Akademie Australia’s roots with two of J.S. Bach’s most uplifting Advent cantatas, music that radiates hope, wonder and joyful expectation in a way only Bach can.
Under the direction of Madeleine Easton, five of Australia’s finest Baroque soloists join the Choir of St James’ and Bach Akademie Australia Orchestra for a glorious celebration of Christmas music.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of festive brilliance featuring 38 exceptional singers and instrumentalists, and discover the joy, beauty and inspiration of the season through some of the greatest music ever written.
“This was a concert filled with…(a) sense of joy in music making.”
Program
Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Messe de minuit pour Noël (Midnight Mass for Christmas)
Johann Sebastian Bach Two Advent Cantatas
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62 (Come now, Saviour of the heathen)
Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70 (Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!)
Artists
Madeleine Easton | Artistic Director, Conductor
Susannah Lawergren | soprano
Elizabeth Cooper | mezzo-soprano
Kyle Stegall | tenor
Timothy Reynolds | tenor
David Greco | baritone
The Choir of St James’, King Street, Sydney
Bach Akademie Australia Orchestra
Concert - Glenbrook
Friday, November 13, 2026
7:30 PM - St Finbar's Catholic Church
46 Levy St,
Glenbrook NSW 2773
Concert - CHatswood
Saturday, November 14, 2026
2:30 PM - Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church
94 Archer St,
Chatswood NSW 2067
Concert - Sydney CBD
Sunday, November 15, 2026
5:00 PM - St James' Church
173 King St,
Sydney NSW 2000

