The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Brandenburg Choir transports their audience to Spain and South America for their annual Christmas affair at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Alongside more well-known carols, the audience is treated to a mix of Spanish and Argentinian music – a fascinating introduction to some beautiful guitar and lute music, though perhaps not the most festive of programs. 

The amount of music performed is impressive, if not a little tightly packed. Some numbers are superfluous – including two variations of Ding Dong Merrily On High – and dilute the impact of some of the more exciting numbers. Still, there is some especially beautiful instrumental music, such as the Jácara and Isaac Albéniz’s Leyenda. 

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s Noël! Noël! 2025. Photo © Laura Manariti

The hall looks magical, with stars and fairylights hanging from the walls and ceiling. The lighting, though, feels a little improvised, dimming and changing at seemingly random points throughout the performance, but perhaps this will be sorted for the second performance later that evening. 

Mezzo-soprano Maria Eugenia...