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Big Sing: The UK's Top 10 Carols

Susan Boyle, Jonathan and Charlotte, Michael Ball and Hayley Westenra join five thousand singers at the Royal Albert Hall for this Songs of Praise special, as the results of a nationwide vote to discover Britain's most popular Christmas carols are revealed.

40 minutes

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • O Come, O Come Emmanuel

    Tune: Veni Emmanuel

    Performer: Royal Albert Hall Audience and Stage Choirs. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.

    Composer: 15th century C processional arr J H Arnold

  • Joy To The World

    Words: Issac Watts based on psalm 98

    Performer: Royal Albert Hall Audience and Stage Choirs. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.
  • Once In Royal David’s City

    Tune: Irby

    Performer: Jonathan & Charlotte. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.
  • It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

    Composer: English traditional melody

    Performer: Royal Albert Hall Audience and Stage Choirs. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem

    Tune: English traditional

    Performer: Hayley Westenra. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.
  • O Come All Ye Faithful

    Tune: Adeste Fidelis

    Performer: Royal Albert Hall Audience and Stage Choirs. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.
  • Silent Night

    Composer: Franz X Gruber

    Choir: Libera. Conductor: Robert Prizeman.
  • Hark The Herald Angels Sing

    Composer: F. Mendelssohn

    Performer: Royal Albert Hall Audience and Stage Choirs. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.
  • In The Bleak Midwinter

    Composer: Gustav T. Holst

    Performer: Susan Boyle. Performer: Libera. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.

    Words: Christina Rossetti

  • O Holy Night

    Composer: Adolph Adam

    Performer: Michael Ball. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.

Performers

JONATHAN AND CHARLOTTE

Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli became household names after they succeeded to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012. The classical singing duo performed The Prayer on the show which they also performed on Songs of Praise during Advent in 2012. This was their first performance at The Royal Albert Hall, something which has been a lifetime ambition. They perform the carol voted in at number 8 in the top 10 Carols, Once in Royal David’s City.

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HAYLEY WESTENRA

Hayley Westenra is a classical singer from New Zealand. She has performed all over the world on stage and screen. ÌýShe was propelled to stardom at the young age of 16 when her first album ‘Pure’ became the fastest selling album in the classical charts. She has performed in the Royal Albert Hall several times. As well as making a successful career from classical singing she still finds times to do charity work and is an ambassador of UNICEF.

Ìý

SUSAN BOYLE

Susan Boyle, from Blackburn in Scotland, performed on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and stunned the nation by her captivating performance of ‘I dreamed a dream’ from Les Miserables. From that first performance rose to fame all over the world, including in the USA where she performed on America’s Got Talent. As a fan of Songs of Praise, Susan is delighted to celebrate the UK’s Top 10 Carols where she’ll also be performing at The Royal Albert Hall for the very first time.


MICHAEL BALL

Michael Ball is British actor, singer and presenter. He has performed across the globe in large concert venues and has performed on stage in many musicals.Ìý He is perhaps best known for his performances in Aspects of Love and Les Miserables as Marius. His voice is now heard regularly on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Radio 2 where he hosts a weekly show. The Big Sing is delighted to have Michael perform the number one carol at one of his favourite venues.

Location

The Royal Albert Hall is located in South Kensington, facing Hyde Park.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Aled Jones
Performer Susan Boyle
Performer Michael Ball
Performer Jonathan Antoine
Performer Charlotte Jaconelli
Producer Matthew Napier
Series Editor David Taviner
Executive Producer Tommy Nagra

Broadcast