Armonico Consort Director Christopher Monks When I created our Carols by Candlelight, I wanted to capture the warmth and intimacy of the carol services I grew up with: the comfort of familiar favourites, the excitement of discovering new music, and, of course, an essential helping of Rutter. Above all I wished to restore a spiritual and Christian heart to the celebration while keeping the focus firmly on the music itself. It has been wonderful to see the event become so popular. For many audience members, it provides their first experience of exceptional live choral music, often inspiring them to explore our wider programme of concerts”. This year, I am delighted to bring back many of my favourite carols, alongside some of the commissioned works that have made such a lasting impression over the years. Audiences often tell us that Carols by Candlelight marks the perfect beginning to their Christmas celebrations…for me, it absolutely is too. Christopher Monks PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS: Shepherd’s Carol, Chilcott Astronomer’s Carol, Young Stille Nacht, Grüber The Twelve Days of Christmas,arr. Humphris Lully Lulla, Stopford Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, Poston What Sweeter Music, Rutter Mistletoe, Roberts Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, arr. Gritton All areas are wheelchair accessible apart from the Choir/Monk Stalls.

Description supplied by the event organiser.