The album “Once Upon a Time”, the first “Story Concert” by the Skylark Vocal Ensemble, was released in summer 2019. In collaboration with Benedict Sheehan, who composed a kind of choral film score, an impressive work was created that combines elements of classical performance, storytelling, film music and theatre.
The recording was the result of a special collaboration and created a rich new form of choral art. Inspired by this success and the desire for more intentionality, the ensemble dedicated itself to the theme of Christmas. The choice fell on “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, a well-known but also challenging story. The combination of Sarah Walker’s captivating narrative and Benedict Sheehan’s musical realisation of classic Christmas carols promised a captivating experience.
The challenge was to shorten Dickens’ extensive text to around 5,000 words in order to create a concert work lasting around 70 minutes. Care was taken to preserve the essence of the story and create space for musical contributions. The collaboration between Sheehan and the ensemble resulted in a successful mix of well-known and lesser-known Christmas songs that fit perfectly into the plot.
The recording, which was made in summer 2021, shows the organic combination of words and music, supported by a pre-recorded reading by Sarah Walker. Despite the oft-told story of “A Christmas Carol”, this recording offers a unique interpretation that seems like a hidden masterpiece due to the masterful collaboration of the artists. In the hope that this collaborative project of love will inspire many people to revisit the message of transformation and compassion each year, this recording becomes a timeless work of festive music.