Credit: Helen O'Mahony/Chronicle.lu
On Saturday 14 December 2024, Luxembourg's multinational choir, Voices International, held the third of its four Christmas Concerts, "Voices of Winter", in Bettembourg Church.
Chronicle.lu attended this uplifting and captivating performance, of over 100 singers and musicians, directed by the enthusiastic James Libbey. The featured songs had a true multinational flair and the audience of more than 300 were treated to a large selection of different musical genres.
The concert opened with a wonderful rendition of the popular English carol "Sussex Carol" (commonly known as "On Christmas Night"). From there the audience was led on a wonderful journey of nineteen songs from countries all over the world. These included the Ukrainian folk song "The Little Swallow", Spanish "A La Nanita Nana", Filipino "Pasko Na Naman", and traditional Irish "Wexford Carol".
The singers came off the altar to stand in the body of the church, surrounding the audience, while singing the Austrian carol "Still, Still, Still" and Luxembourgish "An der Grousser Hellger Nuecht".
The concert concluded with the ever popular "White Christmas". A well-deserved standing ovation led to an encore featuring a repeat of "Sussex Carol" and a different rendition of the previously sung "Adeste Fideles".
The enthusiasm emanating from both Mr Libbey and the choir was evident to all during the approximately 90-minute performance, which was in aid of two childrens' charities: the Amicale du Centre de Logopédie and Trauerwee asbl.
The performance was free of charge and the audience had the opportunity afterwards to donate in aid of the charities.
Voices International concluded their Voices of Winter series of concerts in Esch-sur-Alzette on Sunday 15 December 2024.
