Ok, here we go.... Christmas!

I was asked this evening if I would sing a solo at one of our Christmas concerts, designed for two very experienced professional soloists, and to introduce new young talent, to take place in a small setting (Library of an old convent seating about 120).

Initial thoughts were that I didn't really want to do this, but I was asked again by our musical director to have a think about it. The last solo I did was when I was tiny - a Chritmas concert singing Away in a Manger. Not appropriate this time!! I sing with Duchy Opera Chorus, so it need not be 'religious' (though that's an odd thing to say when it comes to Christmas, I know!!!) and there will be a good mix of stuff. We usually sing in English, though I am happy to sing in Latin, Italian and German too.

I just need a few ideas - and I will speak to my teacher tomorrow - so that I have a better idea what the possibilities might be, and can say an informed yes or no. I am a high soprano, and am better not singing below middle C!! I have been studying classically for several years with a very good teacher.

There might also be an opportunity to sing with a friend of similar age (30s). We have similar height in our voices, though she has a better bottom than me(!), and my voice is also lighter.

So what do I like to sing? Baroque (though want to stay away from the Messiah), and Classical, English Song, and very modern stuff. Am open to trying most beautiful things of whatever style! I am used to lots of SATB stuff for Christmas but my solo repertoire knowledge is very limited. (No Rutter please ;-) Would be great to do something a little bit unusual.


Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.

Road to Bethleham...HEAD
Virgin's Slumber song... REGER

The Robin's Carol - Head
What Christmas means to me - Head
Queen of Heaven - Dunhill
Allelujah - Mozart
Are there any instrumentalists? Holst wrote some lovely Christmas songs for soprano and violin.

Nice suggestions AnnC.

Just a little bit of cheese - O Holy Night might be nice if you sing the Bb version (and if you don't mind sparkling out a Bb).

Allan

The Oxen - Armstrong Gibbs. Lovely setting of the Hardy poem.

Not very well known but deserves to be much more. It's not particularly technically difficult but needs a nice light touch.
I did have an mp3 version of me singing it ages ago - if you are interested pm me & I'll try to hunt it out for you.

I think it depends on how it is sung. It's my favourite Christmas song - complete with Bb. But that line must be perfectly legato with wonderfully graded dynamics - and no breath. If not it can be tacky. Like camembert?!

Ah, camembert. (wanders off to the kitchen in search).

Having heard thouston sing this, I definitely agree with her suggestion

I think I still have a copy of that mp3, thouston. PM me if you'd like me to e-mail it to you.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Am ordering a couple of Christmas books from Musicroom which have lots of those in, so I can begin to explore a bit. I love Hardy's poem, so might have a look at that first.

can anyone tell me more about Dunhill's Queen of Heaven? Just the title appeals to me, but can't find any recordings online, and the sheet music at £7 is quite pricey to take a chance on....

Any ideaa for duets? That's a more difficult one, but my friend is up for it! We did think about Purcell's Sound the trumpet, but will have to go back and take another look at the words.

xx

Might have to take you up on that one katyjay...haven't the faintest idea where it is filed. Might be on a memory stick that I last saw in Vienna... I'll pm if it doesn't turn up at the weekend (rain forecast so I see some computer filing on the horizon)
Back on topic...trying to think of some Christmas duets - nothing yet but I still have my thinking cap on!

katyjay was brilliantly efficient in sending it to me this evening.... It's fabulous, though I don't know whether I can make it sound that good! lol.

Just wait now until the music I ordered arrives, and we'll give it a go.