Presented by the Sydney Chamber Choir at the historic St James' Church on King Street, 'Cantos Sagrados' was a mesmerising and deeply evocative programme exploring the human and the divine through poetry, faith, and song. Featuring three remarkable works—'Five Mystical Songs' by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1911), 'Cantos Sagrados (Sacred Songs)' by James MacMillan (1990), and 'Rejoice in the Lamb' by Benjamin Britten (1943)—this eclectic combination of repertoire captured the audience's attention from the very first note.
What made the programme especially compelling was the richness of the literary and poetic texts behind each score.
Vaughan Williams’ 'Five Mystical Songs' gave radiant musical voice to the 17th-century poetry of George Herbert, pairing harmonies and soaring melodies with the warm, expressive artistry of acclaimed baritone David Greco. It was easy to see or rather hear why he is an ARIA-nominated and internationally recognised as one of Australia's leading vocals.
Scottish composer James MacMillan’s 'Cantos Sagrados' took a starkly powerful turn, interweaving traditional Latin liturgical texts with contemporary Latin American poetry confronting oppression and injustice.
Completing the trio, Britten’s 'Rejoice in the Lamb' set the visionary verses of Christopher Smart—written while the poet was confined in an asylum—capturing struggle, wit, and wonder in a warm and tender hug of the music score.
The combination of the Sydney Chamber Choir's magnificent voices and master organist Thomas Wilson's playing produced what could only be described as pure musical and vocal adrenaline. The richness and professionalism of the choir's performance, together with the delicate yet powerful interplay of the organ, created moments of extraordinary musical intensity. There was a wonderful balance between the choir's expressive vocal textures and the organ's subtle nuances, leaving the audience spellbound.
Choir music has a special ability to reach beyond the immediate moment—carrying echoes of the past while speaking directly to the present, inviting reflection and contemplation. This programme demonstrated that beautifully, moving seamlessly between different musical languages and spiritual perspectives while maintaining a compelling sense of unity.
Conductor Sam Allchurch deserves particular recognition. His engaging introductory commentary and the stories connecting the three works provided valuable insight, especially for audience members less familiar with the repertoire. His explanations illuminated not only the poetic and historical roots of each composition, but also the sequence and flow of this thoughtfully constructed programme.
St James' Church proved to be the ideal setting for this exceptional musical experience. Its sacred architecture, intimate atmosphere, and natural acoustics seemed tailor-made for works rooted in liturgical tradition and spiritual reflection, allowing the choir’s harmonies and the organ’s resonant swell to envelop the space and add an unforgettable dimension to the beauty of the performance.
To book tickets to Cantos Sagrados, please visit https://www.sydneychamberchoir.org/cantos-sagrados.