Each year Raymond Blanc and Le Manoir host a magical series of enchanting Christmas carol concert evenings. It is a wonderful privilege to be joined by many of the country's most celebrated choirs. The neighbouring St Mary’s Church dates back to the 12th Century and provides a historic and intimate setting.

Each evening will commence at 7.00pm with a Laurent-Perrier Champagne reception at Le Manoir, followed by a torch lit walk to St Mary's Church for the evening's concert performance at 8.00pm. Return to Le Manoir for a celebration dinner at 9.15pm with a menu created by Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones, with selected wines from the extensive cellar. The evening usually comes to a close at 11.45pm. 

Tickets are priced at £225.00 per person and are inclusive of a Laurent-Perrier Champagne reception, the concert performance and evening five course meal with accompanying wines, coffee and petit fours. 

Should you wish to extend your visit with an overnight stay, each room and suite at Le Manoir has been individually designed to suit every taste and ambience. This is a black tie event. Please note you will be seated on large tables with fellow guests.

For further details and reservations please telephone 0184 427 7484 or email hannah.ferguson@blanc.co.uk.

The Choirs

We are delighted to be welcoming back the Schola Cantorum of Oxford, the London Adventist Chorale and The Bulava Chorus this year and for the first time, The Holst Singers, The Girl Choristers of Winchester Cathedral and Tenebrae.

Monday 5th December – Schola Cantorum of Oxford
One of the most long-established and widely known chamber choirs in the UK. Founded by the conductor Laszlo Heltay in 1960, as the Collegium Musicum Oxoniense, Schola Cantorum continues to work with many highly respected musicians, including former patrons Sir Michael Tippett and Yehudi Menuhin. As well as frequent appearances on radio and television the tours have taken them through Mexico, Argentina, Italy, Spain and France.
Speaker: Raymond Blanc OBE

Tuesday 6th December – Holst Singers
The Holst Singers, one of Britain's foremost choirs have been described by the BBC as "a leading chorus on the international stage". In addition to their busy concert diary, they frequently broadcast on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3, and regularly record for leading classical labels. With the support of their President, James Bowman, and Musical Director, Stephen Layton, the choir has developed an interest in exploring new and neglected works as well as core choral repertoire.
Speaker: Alistair McGowan

Wednesday 7th December – The Girl Choristers of Winchester Cathedral
The Girl Choristers of Winchester Cathedral where formed in April 1999. Their regular contribution to the worship is a weekly Sunday service with the Lay Clerks. The Girl Choristers between the ages of 12 and 17 are educated at schools and colleges in the Winchester area and rehearse twice a week under the direction of Andrew Lumsden, Director of Music, and Simon Bell, Assistant Director of Music, at Winchester Cathedral.
Speaker: Sir Trevor MacDonald

Monday 12th December – London Adventist Chorale
The London Adventist Chorale was formed in 1981, by John Tolman, whose vision was to maximise the potential of young singers from the Seventh-day Adventist music community. The Chorale's original ethos, still true to the present day, was to take on repertoire, which stretched the musical and vocal capabilities of the singers, with a strong emphasis on vocally driven music. Under the helm of Ken Burton, Principal Conductor, the choir was awarded the prestigious title Sainsbury Choir of the Year 1994 – 1995, BBC Gospel Choir Of The Year 1996, and BBC Gem Award Winner 2005.
Speaker: James Naughtie

Tuesday 13th December – The Bulava Chorus
The Bulava Chorus is the inspiration of International Opera singer Pavlo Hunka. Bulava boasts extraordinarily talented singers, some of whom are regular performers in national institutions of music, which include The National Youth Choir of Great Britain and The Scottish National Opera Company. Its repertoire includes the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom by Kyrylo Stetsenko, a masterpiece of 20th century Byzantine chant; a music dramatization of Lord Byron’s epic poem 'Mazepa'; a selection of classical art songs for soloists, created by some of Ukraine's most eminent composers and some of the richest choral gems in Ukraine's heritage.
Speaker: Sir Mike Jackson

Wednesday 14th December – Tenebrae
Hailed as "one of the country’s most outstanding vocal ensembles" (Evening Standard), Tenebrae has established itself as the chamber choir of choice for critics and audiences in the UK and around the world. Founded and directed by Nigel Short, the group blends the passion of a large cathedral choir with the precision of a chamber ensemble to create a unique and enchanting sound, one which is as dazzlingly effective in mediaeval chant as it is in contemporary works.
Speaker: John Sergeant