CONCERT THREE – SEASONAL CELEBRATION
Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day - G.F. Handel
Magnificat - A.L. Vivaldi
Concerto Grosso in G Minor - A. Corelli
Mount Maunganui 22nd November 2026
Join Scholars Baroque Aotearoa for a luminous celebration of music’s power and the spirit of the season. Handel’s Ode for St Cecilia’s Day, inspired by Dryden’s vivid poetry, traces music’s journey from the creation of the cosmos to the triumphant sound of the last trumpet — a work overflowing with colour, energy, and irresistible word‑painting.
Vivaldi’s Magnificat, written for the extraordinary young musicians of Venice’s Ospedale della Pietà, reveals the full breadth of his sacred imagination: stark, almost austere opening harmonies give way to fiery choral writing, tender solo movements, and moments of radiant joy. It is a work shaped by the unique sound world of the Pietà’s all‑female ensemble, whose virtuosity and expressive depth inspired Vivaldi throughout his career.
Completing the programme is Corelli’s cherished “Christmas Concerto”, composed for his Roman patron and traditionally performed on Christmas Eve. Its elegant writing for concertino and ripieno, expressive slow movements, and the famous pastoral adagio evoke the stillness and warmth of the Nativity story. Long admired for its serenity and gentle lyricism, the concerto remains one of the Baroque era’s most beloved seasonal works.
Together, these pieces offer an evening of expressive singing, glowing orchestral textures, and Baroque music at its most joyful and life‑affirming — a celebration filled with the warmth, wonder, and luminous spirit of the Christmas season.
SINGERS WANTED
Tauranga’s Premier Chamber Choir are auditioning singers
The Scholars Baroque Aotearoa are a chamber choir dedicated to informed performances of period music (often baroque) with an emphasis on stylistic excellence and superior choral sound.
The Scholars have availability for ALTOS, TENORS and BASSES to join this year.
The choir seeks singers with previous choral experience. Although not a requirement, the ability to read music at sight is an asset.
The choir also offers several scholarships for all voices of $1,000 on an annual basis which are available to high school, polytechnic or university students. Scholarship recipients are expected to be pursuing some form of study in music (e.g. private tuition, secondary/tertiary study; voice or other instrument/s). This is a golden opportunity for good musicians who have fine voices, the commitment to be part of a close-knit team, and a desire to develop first class sight-reading skills.
For more information about the Scholars Baroque Aotearoa, please go to our Scholarships page.
To make further inquiries, arrange an audition, or for more information about choral scholarships, please contact the Artistic & Musical Director at scholars@scholarsbaroque.com
SCHOLARS BAROQUE AOTEAROA
“AN ASTONISHINGLY CONTEMPORARY CONFECTION OF RAPIDLY MOVING MELODIOUS BAROQUE MUSIC"