Carols by Candlelight with the Palestrina Choir

We are delighted to announce that  Christmas Carols by Candlelight will take place in Knock Basilica on Saturday 21st December at 5pm. Bringing together all age groups and cultures, Christmas Carols by Candlelight is a celebration of family, friends, Christmas and Community spirit with a heart-warming selection of traditional carols.

Featuring:

The Palestrina Choir, Dublin

Conductor – Blánaid Murphy
Ireland’s Symphonic Brass Ensemble – Dublin Brass
Organist – David Grealy

The Palestrina Choir had its origins in a boys’ choir formed in the 1890s by Dr. Vincent O’Brien. While maintaining an unbroken tradition of service at the Sunday liturgy at Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, the choir has also performed at numerous State occasions, featured on radio and TV nationally and internationally and has travelled extensively to countries including Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany and the USA. In recognition of this, in December 2003, the Choir was awarded the much-coveted St. Cecilia Award by the Vocal Heritage Society of Ireland. In 2012 the choir received an invitation from the Director of the Sistine Chapel Choir to join them in singing at Saint Peter’s Basilica for his Holiness Benedict XVI.

Since 2002 the Choir has been directed by Blánaid Murphy, one of the foremost choral music directors, educators and consultants in Ireland and under her guidance it continues to thrive and develop. There are currently 40 boys in the choir and there is significant competition for annual entry. Thrice weekly rehearsals lead to melodious harmony and choral excellence!

Dublin Brass is Ireland’s leading brass ensemble. The players in the group have formidable experience on the concert platform, in recording studios and in theatres and have played with orchestras including Camerata Ireland, the Ulster Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Halle Orchestra, English National Opera, RTÉ Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Internationally renowned organist David Grealy, originally from Galway, is in regular demand as an accompanist, both in Ireland and abroad, and in August 2018 was organist for the Papal Mass celebrated in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Tickets, from €15,  are now available at the Knock Shrine Information Centre, located beside Knock Basilica or online at  www.knock-carols.eventbrite.ie