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CAROL CONCERTS

A MAGICAL QUIET MOMENT IN CANDLELIGHT

Our Carol programme brings together a mixture of the earliest medieval English carols and traditional carols from across Europe including Finland, Spain, France and Germany, plus insights into the history and stories behind the carols. Some concerts feature bespoke animations, inspired by medieval imagery, by Kate Anderson.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

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Carols were quite revolutionary in their day. They were the music of the people, in the language of the people, at a time when church services were in Latin. They were all about joining in.

The title of this programme is inspired by the fact that many carols have intertwined roots, dating back centuries, often to the Middle Ages, with melodies being adapted and reinvented, and new sets of words written.

In the Middle Ages the term “carol” didn’t have the same meaning as today. It was merely an indication of the form of the piece which would start and end with a chorus (named a burden) and would be interspersed with verses that told the story. The word carol is derived from the Old French word carole, a circle dance accompanied by singers.

Several medieval carols including The Coventry Carol and Ther is No Rose are also still sung in modern arrangements at Christmas carol concerts and church services across the country. And indeed these early English carols are very much “for the people”.

The programme includes a selection of traditional carols from across Europe. Many, like the Burgundian carol Patapan, have roots going back centuries, some as far back as the Middle Ages. There is also a personal dimension to the choice of carols, drawing on three of the roots of The Telling's performers, ie Finnish, German and Irish roots (Kaisa Pulkkinen, Ariane Prüssner and Jean Kelly respectively) to include several carols which are not well known in the UK.

LINE UP

The Telling:

Clare Norburn, soprano

Patricia Hammond, mezzo

Jean Kelly / Emilia Agajew, harp

THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS

 

The Ulverston concert is supported by the Sir John Fisher Foundation and the Conwy performance is supported by the Colwinston Trust.

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TOUR

  • Fri, 01 Dec
    Zoom
    01 Dec 2023, 11:00 – 22 Dec 2023, 11:40
    Zoom
    01 Dec 2023, 11:00 – 22 Dec 2023, 11:40
    Zoom
    Learn how to sing some medieval & traditional carols over Zoom with Clare Norburn
  • Wed, 06 Dec
    Colyer-Fergusson Hall
    06 Dec 2023, 13:10 – 13:50
    Colyer-Fergusson Hall, Canterbury Campus, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NB
    06 Dec 2023, 13:10 – 13:50
    Colyer-Fergusson Hall, Canterbury Campus, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NB
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
  • Fri, 08 Dec
    St Barnabas Church
    08 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St Barnabas Church, 88 Sackville Rd, Hove BN3 3HE, UK
    08 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St Barnabas Church, 88 Sackville Rd, Hove BN3 3HE, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
  • Sat, 09 Dec
    Holy Trinity, Stroud Green
    09 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    Holy Trinity, Stroud Green, Granville Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 4EL, UK
    09 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    Holy Trinity, Stroud Green, Granville Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 4EL, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
  • Tue, 12 Dec
    Ulverston Parish Church
    12 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    Ulverston Parish Church, Church Walk, Ulverston LA12 7EN, UK
    12 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    Ulverston Parish Church, Church Walk, Ulverston LA12 7EN, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
  • Wed, 13 Dec
    St John’s Church
    13 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St John’s Church, St John's Rd, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 7GX, UK
    13 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St John’s Church, St John's Rd, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 7GX, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
  • Thu, 14 Dec
    St Mary's Church
    14 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St Mary's Church, Rose Hill Street, Conwy LL32 8LD, UK
    14 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St Mary's Church, Rose Hill Street, Conwy LL32 8LD, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe. Singing workshop: 5.45pm - 6.30pm
  • Fri, 15 Dec
    Ullet Road Church
    15 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    Ullet Road Church, 57 Ullet Road, Liverpool L17 2AA, UK
    15 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    Ullet Road Church, 57 Ullet Road, Liverpool L17 2AA, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
  • Sat, 16 Dec
    St Peter's Church
    16 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St Peter's Church, Lich Gates, Wolverhampton WV1 1TY, UK
    16 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    St Peter's Church, Lich Gates, Wolverhampton WV1 1TY, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
  • Sun, 17 Dec
    The Guild Chapel
    17 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    The Guild Chapel, Chapel Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6EP, UK
    17 Dec 2023, 19:30 – 21:10
    The Guild Chapel, Chapel Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6EP, UK
    Candlelit carol concert of traditional favourites & unknown medieval gems from around Europe
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