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The Sixteen: The Queen of Heaven

by Heather Leviston 8th March, 2015
by Heather Leviston 8th March, 2015
234

It would be difficult to imagine a group of singers more capable of transforming a concert hall into a traditional place of worship than The Sixteen. Under its founder and conductor, Harry Christophers, this celebrated British ensemble tuned into the outstanding acoustic of the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and from the first phrase found a resonance that made the uplifting plainsong Antiphon “Regina caeli laetari” (Rejoice, Queen of Heaven) truly sing.

In a program encompassing works by Palestrina, Allegri and the renowned contemporary Scottish composer James MacMillan, this resonance combined with vocal excellence and impeccable musicality to take the audience on a journey that was illuminating and deeply satisfying.

The ensemble is not one that tries to replicate the forces used by composers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; there were no trebles and no castrati among these ‘sixteen’ singers, who actually numbered eighteen with the two extra sopranos. But the voices of the six sopranos were so pure in tone and so seemingly effortless in production that the final effect may well have been closer to the original than a performance by a modern all-male cathedral choir. Their reserves of power and capacity to balance and blend were astonishing.

In fact, a careful blending of all voices, especially in quieter passages, where the ensemble became a single instrument, was a feature of the evening. Perhaps this was used to most striking effect in the encore when MacMillan’s closely-packed harmonies, so precisely pitched by the singers, resulted in overtones that created a mysterious sense of an extra instrumental presence.

James MacMillan was not alone in surprising with his musical creativity. Anybody expecting yet another standard performance of Allegri’s Miserere would have been bowled over by The Sixteen’s approach. For all the beauty and appeal of the accustomed version, extensive research by musicologists is to a large extent the basis of a new version that, in the words of the program notes, “aims to portray the evolution of the work”. Thanks to a quartet of singers placed at the back of the hall, the audience was enveloped in glorious sound. Additional embellishments by Harry Christophers made the excitement of the work much more than a succession of high Cs. The high notes were there in the closing verses, but the “abbellimenti” were dramatic and thrilling as executed by Emilia Morton’s stunning voice. Warm and lustrous, the ease and limpid purity of her tone was a constant pleasure whether featured or blending in perfect harmony with others.

If performances in the Sistine Chapel resembled what was heard on Thursday night, it is little wonder that the virtuosity of the embellishments against a finely judged pacing of the underlying music was a must-hear attraction of the Grand Tour. Apparently, even the young Mozart was sufficiently enthused to notate Allegri’s famous work from memory and make a return trip to check on his accuracy.

James MacMillan’s setting of Miserere for eight-part choir is a long and complex piece reflecting the changing sentiments of Psalm 51. Expressions of penitential guilt lead finally to those of hope. Male and female voices alternate and extensive use is made of a soft hummed drone beneath varied chanting. Rich bass notes, a lovely solo soprano, close harmonies and stylish grace notes added to the interest and power of this impressive work so expertly realized by the singers.

O Radiant Dawn, the other work by Macmillan in the second half of the program, is a compelling work – almost addictive in its glorious invocation, “Come, come…” and repeated “Amen”. Effective use of short silences and a quasi “Scotch snap” in the melodic line were combined with references to works by other composers to produce something quite special.

Vocal strength in all sections made for remarkable clarity as parts were delineated in a wonderful interweaving of voices in Palestrina’s works. Regina caeli laetari (what a joyously triumphant outburst in the “Alleluia”!), Stabat Mater and Missa Regina caeli were sheer pleasure.

The Sixteen’s mastery of this exacting program of sacred choral music ensured that a capacity audience was presented with an experience that was both musically and spiritually enriching.

Heather Leviston reviewed The Sixteen: The Queen of Heaven at the Melbourne Recital Centre on March 5, 2015.

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Heather Leviston

Heather Leviston has devoted much of her life to listening to classical music and attending concerts. An addiction to vocal and string music has led her to undertake extensive training in singing and perform as a member of the Victoria State Opera chorus and as a soloist with various musical organisations.

As a founding academic teacher of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, she has had the privilege of witnessing the progress of many talented students, keenly following their careers by attending their performances both in Australia and overseas.

As a reviewer, initially for artsHub, and also for Sounds like Sydney, she has been keen to bring attention to the fine music-making that is on offer in Australia, especially in the form of live performance. Heather is a valued member of Classical Melbourne’s editorial team, with her reviews of opera and vocal music valued by performers and audiences alike.

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The Sixteen: The Queen of Heaven

by Suzanne Yanko 24th February, 2015
by Suzanne Yanko 24th February, 2015
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As the illustrious vocal ensemble The Sixteen prepares to visit Australia in March, Shamistha de Soysa at Sounds like Sydney interviews its founding director, Harry Christophers, about the ensemble and its music. The one Melbourne concert – The Queen of Heaven – features works by the towering figure of Renaissance polyphony Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Scottish composer James MacMillan’s celebrated modern choral setting of the Miserere and Gregorio Allegri’s famously haunting setting of the same text.

The Sixteen has earned a special reputation for performances of early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, Baroque and early Classical music, as well as 20th and 21st century music, all of which is drawn from the passion of conductor and founder. Read more in Shamistha’s recent interview with Christophers.

Read details of the Melbourne performance.

 

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Suzanne Yanko

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Events Calendar

35 events found.
  • August 2025

Calendar of Events

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1 event, 1

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

Playing the works from their vast back catalogue that have earned the brothers justifiable recognition as Australia’s finest classical guitarists.

$52 – $65

0 events, 2

1 event, 3

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum & The Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation Atmosphere – Concert #3

August 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum & The Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation Atmosphere – Concert #3

Ethereal French melodies to elevate your soul and senses. This is truly music of the ethereal realm. A French program featuring…

$30 – $65

1 event, 4

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Violets – Winter Tour : Vanishing Points

August 4 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Violets – Winter Tour : Vanishing Points

Anna Rabinowicz, flute Molly Collier-O’Boyle, viola Melina van Leeuwen, harp Much like the creeping, evergreen perennial, Violets trio have hit the…

$22 – $30

1 event, 5

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music – Hindemith: A Celebration

August 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music – Hindemith: A Celebration

Marking the 130th birthday of the German-American composer, violist, music theorist, conductor and teacher Paul Hindemith in a concert featuring works…

Free

2 events, 6

6:30 am - 7:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Open Rehearsal with Shiyeon Sung

August 6 @ 6:30 am - 7:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Open Rehearsal with Shiyeon Sung

Take a peek behind the scenes at an open rehearsal with conductor Shiyeon Sung. Join us for an hour in some…

$15 – $19
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Open Rehearsal with Shiyeon Sung

August 6 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Open Rehearsal with Shiyeon Sung

Take a peek behind the scenes at an open rehearsal with conductor Shiyeon Sung. Join us for an hour in some…

$15 – $19

3 events, 7

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

The power of the mind, the body, and music. Dive into an extraordinary multi-artform experience where the meticulous intellect of Johann…

$20 – $196
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday – TENERA

August 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday – TENERA

A celebration of trailblazing women composers. Join Melbourne musicians Jasper Ly (oboe) and Peter Dumsday (piano) for TENERA, a journey through…

$30 – $37
7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

August 7 @ 7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

One of classical music’s most striking and captivating musical personalities, Simone Lamsma makes her MSO debut performing Tchaikovsky’s expressive and virtuosic…

$20 – $127

1 event, 8

7:30 pm - 9:45 pm

Australian Contemporary Opera Company: Danielle de Niese

August 8 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm

Australian Contemporary Opera Company: Danielle de Niese

'The most sought-after singer on the planet' - BBC Superstar soprano Danielle de Niese shot to stardom in Australia at the age…

$35 – $149

2 events, 9

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 9 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

The power of the mind, the body, and music. Dive into an extraordinary multi-artform experience where the meticulous intellect of Johann…

$20 – $196
7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

August 9 @ 7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

One of classical music’s most striking and captivating musical personalities, Simone Lamsma makes her MSO debut performing Tchaikovsky’s expressive and virtuosic…

$20 – $127

4 events, 10

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Flinders Quartet at Montsalvat – Musical Friends

August 10 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Flinders Quartet at Montsalvat – Musical Friends

Can music describe a person? Flinders Quartet explores this with new pieces by Eötvös, Singh, and Nicolas, and Borodin’s second quartet.…

$40 – $50
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Gershwin & Shostakovich

August 10 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Gershwin & Shostakovich

A celebration of the power of music featuring Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.1 with superstar pianist Alexander…

$30 – $167
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Choristry Presents A Flock of Birds

August 10 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Choristry Presents A Flock of Birds

Choristry's second concert of 2025 features choral music about birds. This eclectic program ranges from Orlando Gibbons to contemporary pieces by…

$35
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 10 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

The power of the mind, the body, and music. Dive into an extraordinary multi-artform experience where the meticulous intellect of Johann…

$20 – $196

1 event, 11

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Gershwin & Shostakovich

August 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Gershwin & Shostakovich

A celebration of the power of music featuring Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.1 with superstar pianist Alexander…

$30 – $167

0 events, 12

1 event, 13

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Symphonic Send-off The Europe Tour Preview Concert

August 13 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Symphonic Send-off The Europe Tour Preview Concert

The MSO is about to hit the road on its first European tour in more than a decade. Join Jaime Martín…

$37.40 – $49

0 events, 14

0 events, 15

2 events, 16

7:30 am - 9:00 pm Event Series

Choristry Presents A Flock of Birds

August 16 @ 7:30 am - 9:00 pm Event Series

Choristry Presents A Flock of Birds

Choristry's second concert of 2025 features choral music about birds. This eclectic program ranges from Orlando Gibbons to contemporary pieces by…

$35
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Omega Ensemble: Elevator Music

August 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Omega Ensemble: Elevator Music

Omega Ensemble presents Elevator Music, a captivating showcase of the clarinet featuring legendary British clarinettist Michael Collins in his first Australian…

0 events, 17

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1 event, 21

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Kew Court House Live: Liana Perillo

August 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Kew Court House Live: Liana Perillo

Liana plays the electro-acoustic pedal harp, coupled with amplification and analogue effects pedals to extend the sonority of her instrument.

$20

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1 event, 30

7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Creation

August 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Creation

Excelsis, Chime Choir and the Yarra Philharmonic Orchestra give the Australian première of Dan Forrest's 'Creation', with soloists Rachael Joyce (Soprano)…

$25 – $30

1 event, 31

2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: J.S. Bach – Mass in B Minor

August 31 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: J.S. Bach – Mass in B Minor

A Cathedral in Sound : Bach’s Mass in B minor

$70
  • There are no events on this day.
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August 1
August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

  • There are no events on this day.
August 3
August 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum & The Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation Atmosphere – Concert #3

August 4
August 4 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Violets – Winter Tour : Vanishing Points

August 5
August 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music – Hindemith: A Celebration

August 6
August 6 @ 6:30 am - 7:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Open Rehearsal with Shiyeon Sung

August 6 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Open Rehearsal with Shiyeon Sung

August 7
August 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday – TENERA

August 7 @ 7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

August 8
August 8 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm

Australian Contemporary Opera Company: Danielle de Niese

August 9
August 9 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 9 @ 7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

August 10
August 10 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Flinders Quartet at Montsalvat – Musical Friends

August 10 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Gershwin & Shostakovich

August 7
August 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday – TENERA

August 7 @ 7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

August 8
August 8 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm

Australian Contemporary Opera Company: Danielle de Niese

August 9
August 9 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 9 @ 7:30 pm - 9:40 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

August 10
August 10 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Flinders Quartet at Montsalvat – Musical Friends

August 10 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Gershwin & Shostakovich

August 10 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Choristry Presents A Flock of Birds

August 10 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Circa & The Art of Fugue

August 11
August 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Gershwin & Shostakovich

  • There are no events on this day.
August 13
August 13 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Symphonic Send-off The Europe Tour Preview Concert

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 16
August 16 @ 7:30 am - 9:00 pm Event Series

Choristry Presents A Flock of Birds

August 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Omega Ensemble: Elevator Music

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 21
August 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Kew Court House Live: Liana Perillo

  • There are no events on this day.
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  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 30
August 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Creation

August 31
August 31 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: J.S. Bach – Mass in B Minor

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