Festive Fun: Festive Music with Musica Balkanica

Amateur a cappella choir Musica Balkanica presents 40 minutes of "Christmas in the Balkans".

Hear amateur a cappella choir Musica Balkanica present a 40-minute programme of "Christmas in the Balkans" alongside projected imagery.

The Christchurch choir was formed in 2004 by enthusiastic singers from the Balkan region and New Zealand. The choir's primary aim is to celebrate and "spread the joy" of the wonderful and large musical heritage of this region, in both sacred and folk genres.

Its sacred pieces from Eastern Orthodox tradition (many from the Divine Liturgy) date from Byzantine times to last century, while its Christmas carols are more joyful and engagingly melodic.

The folk songs the choir sings cover the range from wistful love songs and patriotic laments to drinking songs and frantic village dances. Some folk pieces are accompanied by a tapan – a large, double-sided Bulgarian drum, played with two different sticks to produce bass and treble notes.

This free event is suitable for all ages. No bookings are required.