Monday 21 December 2009

A Sydney Christmas - Fifth Day

Carols on the lawns of Vaucluse House hosted by the Historic Houses Trust

The Three Drovers (Verse 3 of 3)
The black swans flew across the sky,
The wild dog called across the plain,
The starry lustre blazed on high,
Still echoing on the heavenly strain;
And still they sang Noel! Noel!
Those drovers three Noel! Noel!
Noel! Noel! Noel!

Girls jigged, and twirled,
clapping and singing
existing happily in the spotlight.

Boys listened, and watched,
wrestling and tripping
existing preferably in the shadows.

"Ristretto" harmonies floated across the gardens, bringing the throng to their feet for THAT verse of The Messiah
Australian Christmas stamps - 1974, 1975 & 1976

21 comments:

eamon@ewmphotography said...

Wow! Looking through your blog, seems like I've missed an impressive catalogue of photos over the last couple of months Julie. Looking forward to browsing through them...

Hope life is good.

Eamon

brattcat said...

You are capturing the essence of individuals here, Julie. Those children are indescribably beautiful and the singers are so full of music that they are transformed into containers of light.

Rinkly Rimes said...

I'm so lad I've found your blog. Your portraits are a delight and I love the way you show a side of our country not entirely made-up of sea and sun! I had no idea the illuminations in Sydney were so picturesque!

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures of the children! Their eyes are so deep - they're really drinking in the music. And I love the Hallelujah Chorus! I read somewhere that the tradition of standing during in it began when George II was so swept away by the power of the music that he stood - and everyone else had to stand as well :)

I'm studying ecological sciences - the course straddles the school of Biology and the school of Geosciences - so it is great fun!

Jim said...

Great people shots and tied in well with your Christmas theme.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

VP said...

Nice set of portraits in a funny mix of ages and styles. I really like the way you composed the page itself, around the verses. Wonderful post, I begin to feel your Christmas as less exotic and more familiar, thank you.

Unknown said...

Children and Christmas carols. There is a combination that's hard to beat. Your curly haired boy is a beauty whether B&W or color, but his copper haired friend needs color to be properly appreciated.

The relaxed candid tone of these portraits is very nice, thank you.

Anonymous said...

These photographies can be felt.

Please have a nice start into the new week.

Virginia said...

Oh the children are exquisite and of course the singers are just wonderful as well. i can almost hear it!
V

Tash said...

A delight! warms the heart.

Stephany said...

A wonderful series of photos. The first one is just precious. (Mind you, I don't want any more children at my age!)

cara said...

Great candid shots of the kids. I find it very difficult to take these sorts of shots - all the kids I know seem to sense a camera at 50 metres and then adopt a wide-legged/tongue-out/peace hand signal type pose.... who teaches them that stuff??

Julie said...

*grin* I get that a lot too, Cara but mainly from my own children! I am a quiet, little, old lady and no-one pays me much heed. I am also very patient with a long concentration span. I'll get 'em ...

bitingmidge said...

Now there's a collection of confident shots!

Patient confident shots at that, terrific stuff, but I do think that more than say.... one, is showing off! ;-)

Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia

jabblog said...

Wonderful photos Julie! The children are delightful. It's very interesting to see Australian carols, too.

Elaine Yim said...

Good to see everyone in a cheerful, festive mood, adults and kids.

diane b said...

Everyone else has said what I wanted to say. Great portraits. Knowing Vaucluse House, I can imagine the setting for Carols couldn't be better.

Birdman said...

Wonderful kid shots. I'm really enjoying your Aussie carols and the stamps. Tradition!!!

Sharon Creech said...

Your children's profiles capture so much of the beauty of a child.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I liked your comment about having the patience to get these type of shots ... I can see I'm an impatient photographer ... I'd love to go on a 'photo camp' with you one day, I reckon I'd learn a thing or two.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Oh yes, and didn't the price of stamps take a leap in the mid-70s I remember people complaining at the time I can see why.