*** Have we become so inured to the familiarity -- or is it the schmaltz? -- of traditional Christmas music that we find it difficult to assimilate something so different as Benjamin Britten's St. Nicholas Canata, Op. 42, or is the reality that this work, despite its topical title, remains a dour choice at the best of times, and particularly on December 12? Admittedly, Britten's music is not to everyone's taste, but even allowing for that, while conductor Gary Burgess provided a clear rationale for its inclusion in the Bermuda Philharmonic Society's Christmas concert programme, the fact remains that the cantata did nothing to lift the spirits -- or even suggest a festive mood.

Certainly, there were parts of the work, which took up the entire first half of the programme, which were lovely, but lovely isn't necessarily festive, and let's face it, the Society's Christmas concerts have always been known for their seasonal cheer.

Living, as we do, in a world beset with an array of difficulties and disputes, the doom-laden details of which permeate our daily lives for most of the year, at Christmastime we instinctively crave entertainment which provides joyous relief -- an antithesis to the ponderous and unpleasant which otherwise prevails.

In short, we have come to associate Christmas with "all things bright and beautiful'' -- commodities which were noticeably lacking on this occasion.

Granted, the programme's second half was filled with a goodly selection of Christmas carols, but in concert arrangement they were performed with studied elegance rather than e m lan, and -- woe! -- devoid of audience participation.

(What happened to Joy to the World, the words of which were tantalisingly printed in the programme but not performed?).

No matter how corny the concept, singing at least some Christmas carols en masse is what the bathtub baritones and shower stall sopranos enthusiastically regard as their annual treat -- a one-off chance to "make a joyful noise'', even if it is at the expense of the poor conductor's ears.

Which is not to suggest that Mr. Burgess' first Christmas concert at the helm of the Philharmonic was sub-standard, or even unpleasant. Indeed, there were several very bright spots: tenor Jeffrey Halili and the beautifully trained (by Mrs. Marjorie Pettit) Gallery and St. John's Youth choirs among them, but viewed in toto, the event left a strange sense of having been neither shaken nor stirred -- of having been observers at a cerebral cocktail party rather than participants in a celebratory feast.

While the sheer numbers on stage were impressive, quantity does not necessarily translate to quality, and in this case the performances of the main and boys' choirs were less accomplished than might have been expected under this bright, new leadership. Given that the Philharmonic is a community, and not an auditioned, organisation, this suggests the question: would more, or stricter, rehearsing have helped? No doubt the very talented Dr. Burgess will ultimately steer a memorable course at the helm of the Bermuda Philharmonic Society, and certainly he appears to have no shortage of willing "crew'' to successfully develop his vision, but on this occasion the voyage fell short of a sparkling landfall.

By Nancy Acton