Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | A Ceremony of Carols, Op.28

Singapore Symphony Children's and Youth Choirs are led by Stephen Layton in music by Britten, Rautavaara and Vivaldi, heralding a blessed Christmas season.

A Christmas concert from some fine choirs warmed the hearts of their Montréal audience.

Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with pieces by Tavener, MacMillan and Lauridsen contrast with Byrd and Dowland in a thoughtful and moving performance of Christmas musical icons from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus.

The Sixteen and Opera North Children’s Chorus close Spitalfields Music Winter Festival in sparkling fashion with Poulenc and Britten.

After the overload of concerts and carol singing around Christmas, most choirs have a well-deserved break before starting for another year, but not Vivamus. This young London-based choir entered 2013 in style with a candlelit concert for Epiphany. The concert’s main advertised work was Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, with other composers on the programme including Leighton, Howells and Whitacre.

We trudged through the snow to Kings Place, full of anticipation for an evening of beautiful music and festive cheer. The Barts Chamber Choir, conducted by Ivor Setterfield provided this, with a wonderful program from traditional audience carols to lesser known pieces by Berlioz, Howells and Vaughan Williams.

Where better to find the spirit of Christmas than in a church associated with the Knights of Jerusalem since 1185. Just off Fleet Street, lays an oasis of choral music: Temple Church.