When he founded the Adelaide Chamber Singers in 1985 did Carl Crossin know that they would develop into a world class ensemble, gifting local musicians and the music lovers of Adelaide and beyond? Now, under the present Artistic Director and Conductor, Christie Anderson, the ACS continues to flourish.
Rising Voices, was established as an emerging artist ensemble in 2023, as an addition to the Adelaide Chamber Singers. It was Rising Voices which presented a evening of music at St Peter’s Cathedral. As the audience was requested not to applaud until the end of the program it meant that the music could unfold like a musical tapestry, with light and shade, colour and texture throughout the Cathedral.
Featured composers ranged from Anon, 12th century,14 and 15th century to contemporary, beginning with a traditional Veni,Veni, Emmanuel followed by a more complex setting of the same by Michael John Trotter. It was immediately clear this was going to be an evening of music to enjoy.
The singers, under the expert guidance of Carl Crossin, sang with clarity and total assurance.
Organist Andrew Georg provided the thread that linked and supported the singers, as well as weaving his own magic.
Both settings of O Magnum Mysterium, the first by Tomás Luis da Victoria early in the program and, towards the end, the setting by Palestrina, helped frame the music.
Hail! Quene of Heven, composed by Ross Edwards sat comfortably next to the 15th century There is no rose of such virtue.
How Can I keep from Singing by Anne Cawrse was the only piece that felt out of place, quirky and clever in its rhythms, arrangement and harmonies as it is. It was immediately followed by a Coventry Carol describing the grief of mothers whose children had been slaughtered, and the psalm An den Wassern zu Babel saffen wir und weinten by Arvo Pärt as the exiled Jewish people mourn for their homeland. In both of these compositions the Rising Voices expressed, respectively, anguish and yearning
As an occasional soloist Brooke Window was a delight. The Rising Voices, as an ensemble, showed that they are not so much an ‘emerging ensemble’ but that they can present an evening of beautifully, confidently sung music, composed across the centuries.
St Peter’s Cathedral 5 December 2025
Conducted by Dr Carl Crossin OAM
Organ, Andrew Georg
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