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Atmospheric Christmas carols

22 December 2024
- 17:00

Atmospheric Christmas carols can be heard on Sunday 22 December from 5 pm in the Zuiderkerk. The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols performed by the Martinus Cantorij Zwaag contains various gems from European music literature.

In addition to Unto us is born a son by David Willcocks, the dreamy A spotless Rose by Herbert Howells and A Hymn to the Virgin by Britten, there are also Dutch diamonds, such as Adeste by Piet Halsema, father of our conductor, and Hodie Christus natus est by Sweelinck, alternating with a French gem L’Adieu des bergers by Hector Berlioz.

In keeping with tradition in Anglican cathedrals, we will also start the celebration with ‘Once in royal David’s city’. The public can sing along with the well-known ‘O come all ye faithful’ and ‘God rest you merry gentlemen’.

The Martinus Cantorij, founded in 1980, is the only choir in North Holland above the North Sea Canal that focuses on Choral Evensong as it has been sung daily in English cathedrals for centuries.

During Advent, the choir participates annually in A Festival of Lessons & Carols, in which Christmas carols alternate with short readings. The conductor of the Martinus Cantorij is Bas Halsema. Organists are: Elena Roce and Jan Spijker. The pastor is Henk Haandrikman.