A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION features much-loved festive songs and music from across Europe. Sibelius combines lusciousness with poignancy to great effect in his Andante Festivo. Ava Dodd sings the beautiful, popular and traditional Silent Night. Tchaikovsky’s lyrical Serenade brims with melodies and its Waltz is one of his most popular works. Ava inspires hope in a stirring rendition of I Know That My Redeemer Liveth from Messiah. The drama of the Nativity is thrust upon the listener in Corelli’s Christmas Concerto as pastoral visions of nearby shepherds provide soothing contemplation. Ava shines once again in the beautiful Santa Lucia celebrating St. Lucia’s Day in Italy and Scandinavia with the customary celebration of light. She follows this with a selection of Grieg’s intimate and romantic love-songs, written for his wife, Nina. His stunning and rarely heard Nordic Melodies are performed with gusto by ICO. A little closer to home, the ICO serenade with the Wexford Carol as a haunting rendition of Don Oíche úd I mBeithil along with a festive farewell ignite this wonderful concert. A celebration not to be missed!

Streaming live for free on YouTube from 8pm, courtesy of The National Concert Hall.