The St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum presented their Advent concert at St. Basil’s Church on December 9. The concert featured the Oratorio de Noël (Christmas Oratorio) by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), a lush and lyrical meditation on Christ’s birth through musical settings of biblical passages for soloists and chorus.
The Schola, directed by Dr. Christina Labriola, was joined by singers from Professor Mia Bach’s third year Oratorio Class from the Faculty of Music, and St. Basil’s music director, Dr. John Paul Farahat, on organ. The program was rounded out by a romantic choral anthem, Peace on Earth, by American composer Amy Beach (1867-1944).
We’re delighted to share a recording of the performance during this holiday season.
I. Prélude (dans le style de Seb. Bach)
II. Récit et choeur : Et pastores erant (Luke 2:8-14)
III. Air : Expectans expectavi (Psalm 40:1)
IV. Air et choeur : Domine, ego credidi (John 11:27)
V. Duo : Benedictus (Psalm 118:26-28)
VI. Choeur : Quare fremuerunt gentes (Psalm 2:1)
VII. Trio : Tecum Principium (Psalm 110:3)
VIII. Quatuor : Alleluia (Isaiah 49:13)
IX. Quintette et choeur : Consurge, Filia Sion (Lamentations 2:19; Isaiah 62:1)
X. Choeur : Tollite hostias (Psalm 96:8-13)
Directed by Dr. Christina Labriola, the Schola is dedicated to the aim of spiritual enrichment of our university community through the transformative beauty of sacred music. Detailed information about this concert is available in the program.
Our thanks to U of T Music Technologist Peter Olsen for the recording.