Two Kings return for Christmas

IT HAS been 17 years since Noosa Chorale music director and pianist Adrian King and daughter Louise last played together on stage.
This year, Christmas Wassail partygoers can expect star performances from them both at ‘The J’ on December 20 and 21.
Internationally renowned cellist, concert and recording artist Louise King, has worked extensively throughout the UK, Asia, Europe and Australia with some of the world’s finest orchestras while Adrian has endeared himself to Noosa audiences with inspirational concerts since he took over from Leonard Spira in 2007.
Adrian and Louise last played together at a school festival in 1997 when Adrian was director of music at St James School in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
“We played as a duo and as a trio with my daughter Sarah who is a violinist,” Adrian said.
“Louise has arranged a Christmas songs and carols set for us, including favourites like ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel.’
“She is also playing the cello solo when we showcase English composer Vaughan Williams’ ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols.’
“He had a lovely sense of melody and rich harmony which are displayed so clearly in Fantasia.
“Louise combines her concert work with teaching and she has organised a group of her cellists to play Christmas carols on the forecourt as a preview to the concerts… a sort of ‘cello hello’!”
The Chorale is transforming ‘The J’ into a wonderland filled with joyful Christmas scenes and festive fun for the concerts.
The Wassail has been a calendar event each year since it started in 2007 and is so popular performances post ‘house full’ signs.
The original idea came from one of Adrian’s groups, the Grimsby Bach Choir, which each year stages a Wassail derived from the ‘Old Norse ves hael’ or from a later time the ‘Anglo Saxon waes hael’. Depending on how you feel at the time it can be a toast of a drink like mulled ale or a party, particularly at Christmas.
It’s easy to imagine roistering Vikings hallooing Wassail as they dip they beards into their tankards, or 12th-century English peasants warming up to the winter weather with a Christmas carol or two and a hot mug.
This Christmas the Wassail theme is ‘Joy’ and, according to chorale vice president and organiser, Talluah Harper, “It’s the joy of the holidays, joy in music, joy in food and joy in others.
“It is table seating and we’re inviting folk to join us in sharing cheese platters, mince pies, drinks and hear some wonderful festive songs, sing carols from word sheets with the choir and enjoy a genial atmosphere of bonhomie and hearty Christmas cheer!” she said.
Noosa Chorale Christmas Cheer will be held at The J, 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Junction on 20 and 21 December at 7.30pm.
Tickets are $30 and includes a cheese platter and homemade mince pies.
For bookings visit www.thej.com.au or phone 5329 6560.