Jubilee Concerts 2012
Celebrate in Tom Quad, Christ Church
Friday 22 - Sunday 24 June 2012
We have reason to celebrate 2012 and we hope you will join us. It is the Queen’s diamond jubilee year and Her Majesty is the Visitor of Christ Church in a personal capacity (our founder was her predecessor Henry VIII). 1812-2012 makes it the bicentenary of the Battle of Borodino, the inspiration for Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture. Those of a certain age may remember the thrilling 1961 concert, in Tom Quad, when the 1812 was also the centrepiece. Add the Olympics, our close links with New Zealand (Christ Church led to Christchurch) and our position in the wonderful county of Oxfordshire and the programme is hardly a matter of choice.
The Very Revd Christopher Lewis, Dean of Christ Church
Friday 22 June at 7.45 pm
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the BBC Concert Orchestra
In aid of the Christchurch Wakefield New Zealand Scholarship Fund
We are thrilled to welcome Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and
the BBC Concert Orchestra to Christ Church for a magical
evening of classical music. The provisional programme is
as follows:
Mozart - Idomeneo Ballet Music (Extract)
Handel - 3 Cleopatra Arias
Mozart - Overture Le Nozze di Figaro
Mozart - Aria Contessa 'Porgi amor'
R. Strauss - Walzerfolge Act 3 Rosenkavalier
R. Strauss - 3 Lieder - Morgen - Stänschen – Cäcilie
De Falla - El Amor Brujo (Extract)
Canteloube - 3 songs of Auverne
Puccini - Intermezzo Manon Lescaut
Puccini - Mi chiamano Mimi
Cilea - Son umile ancella
Concert Tickets
For details of the concert tickets available on Friday night please click here
Hospitality Packages
Hospitality packages are also available on Friday night for details click here
Saturday 23 June at 8.00 pm
1961 Re-enactment Concert - Oxford Philomusica
In aid of Christ Church Cathedral Music Trust
On a warm and still June evening in 1961, an audience of over 5000 gathered excitedly in Christ Church’s Tom Quad for an extraordinary open-air concert. The musical programme had been specifically chosen for the setting and included Tchaikovsky’s famous 1812 overture.
To commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle or Borodino, the inspiration for the piece, Christ Church will once again be transforming its great quadrangle into an open-air theatre and hosting a memorable midsummer musical extravaganza.
On Saturday 23 June Oxford Philomusica, conducted by Marios Papadopoulous, will be re-enacting a similar concert to the one first put on by Christ Church’s students just over fifty years ago with a performance of the following programme:
Dvorak – Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ‘From the New World’
Walton – Crown Imperial (Coronation March)
Verdi – Grand March from Aida
Tchaikovsky – Overture ‘1812’
Concert Tickets
For details of the concert tickets available on Saturday night please click here
Hospitality Packages
Hospitality packages are also available on Saturday night, for details click here
Sunday 24 June at 6.30 pm
The Oxfordshire County Music Service
A Gala Concert of British Music, featuring young people from all over the county performing choral and instrumental music from the British Isles with a rousing finale of ‘Land of Hope and Glory.’
‘Oxfordshire Youth Brass Ensemble’
‘Oxfordshire Youth Big Band’
The Christ Church Cathedral choristers with Children’s choirs from 6 Oxon Primary schools. The Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra conducted by Dr John Traill.
Concert Tickets
For details of the concert tickets available on Sunday night please click here
Sunday Afternoon Tea