The Great Mystery
1:00 Program
Alix Dumon-Debaecker
8 or 12 singers

For 2000 years, Christmas has been a delight to young and old alike. Moments of celebration, moments of reunion, moments of simplicity and sharing. The heart is a birth, that of a newborn in a manger. On the winter solstice, light spreads everywhere and provides perfect joy.
Before the birth, joy is already present, because we are waiting impatiently for the arrival of the child. Between Gregorian songs and readings by English composers, we oscillate between splendour and awe, to end with the exaltation of a Enjoy yourself by Steven Sametz! A joy that is radiant with the arrival of the newborn!
A Boy was Born by Benjamin Britten introduces the colourful vision of Francis Poulenc. Like a painter, he describes the scene with simplicity, revealing us in a pure and colorful way the great mystery. The silence of a night is conducive to the sweetness of the enveloping English lullabies. Finally, let us burst into joy in the early morning to announce the great news to the world. Sing now and be joyful!
The Great Mystery is a concert staged and highlighted. The dramaturgy of the program guides the audience to live a simple joy that is received and given.
REJOICE
Anonyme Leto leta concio
Antienne O Oriens
James MacMillan (b. 1959) O Radiant Dawn
Richard Allain (b. 1965) Coventry Carol
Steven Sametz (b. 1954) Gaudete
A BOY WAS BORN
Benjamin Britten (1913 – 1976) A Boy was Born
Repons O Magnum Mysterium
Francis Poulenc (1899 – 1963) “O magnum mysterium” Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
Pierre Villette (1926 – 1998) O Magnum Mysterium
Repons Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite
Francis Poulenc “Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite” Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
Antienne du Magnificat Videntes Stellam
Francis Poulenc “Videntes Stellam” Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
Antienne du Magnificat Hodie Christus natus est
Francis Poulenc “Hodie Christus natus est” Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
IN A SILENT NIGHT
John Tavener (1944 – 2013) The Lamb
Joséphine Stephenson (b. 1990) The Infant King
Fredrik Sixten (b. 1962) Mary’s Lullaby
BE JOYFUL
Benjamin Britten A Hymn to the Virgin
John Tavener A Christmas Round