New Year’s Concert

Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of church music (and the blind), was celebrated annually on the 22nd of November by London’s musicians in the late 17th century with banquets and a newly written ode in honour of the saint. The tradition fell into obscurity but was revived in 1739 by G.F. Handel, who then composed his cantata *Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day*, which is here performed by the Storkyrkan Vocal Ensemble together with Maria Keohane and Anders J. Dahlin, and members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra who are interested in baroque music, forming Orfeus Barock.

Handel used texts by John Dryden, who drew on Pythagoras’s theory of *harmonia mundi* – the idea that music was a central force in the creation of the world. The cantata is characterised by lively choral and orchestral movements, interspersed with charming arias in which both soloists and instrumentalists are given great scope for improvisation.

Repertoire
Georg Friedrich Handel Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, HWV 76

Storkyrkan Vocal Ensemble
n.n. New Year’s speaker (in Swedish)
Maria Keohane soprano
Anders J. Dahlin tenor
Orfeus Barock Stockholm
Gary Graden conductor

Age limit: 6 years
Ticket prices: 100, 150, 220, 290, 370 SEK (discounts available for seniors, children/youth, students)

Please note that large bags, backpacks, suitcases, and prams are not allowed in the church!

Tickets will be released on the 5th of September at 12:00.