Liverpool Hope University Choir

Liverpool Hope University Choir with musicians from Liverpool Philharmonic
Directed by David Walters
Michael Graham – tenor

Programme:
Benjamin Britten - Saint Nicolas Opus 42 (words by Eric Crozier)

Benjamin Britten wrote the cantata Saint Nicolas in 1948 for the centennial celebrations of Lancing College in Sussex. Writing specifically for the resources available to him on this occasion, Britten scored the piece for mixed choir, tenor soloist, three or four boys, strings, piano duet, organ and percussion.

While the piece was written for Lancing College, the first performance was actually, with the College's permission, the opening concert of the first Aldeburgh Festival in June 1948, when it was performed in Aldeburgh Church.

The text of Saint Nicolas was written by Eric Crozier after extensive research into the legendary life of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, Lycia. Crozier's libretto paints a dramatically bold portrait of the saint's character, exaggerating the legends and glory that have accumulated over the centuries around Nicholas's story. Britten's music enhances the drama of Crozier's text using striking contrasts in instrumentation, vocal style, and musical textures.

This concert is made possible through the contributions of musicians from Liverpool Philharmonic.