The Naghash Ensemble of Armenia;
Credit: The Naghash Ensemble
The Centre des Arts Pluriels Ettelbruck (CAPE) has announced the Luxembourg premiere of the Armenian Christmas oratorio Light the Candle by composer John Hodian, to be performed by the Naghash Ensemble from Armenia on Tuesday 9 December 2025.
According to the organisers, the Naghash Ensemble will present a distinctive lyrical sound world, bringing the new Christmas oratorio Light the Candle to the stage. They noted that every musical gesture reflects Armenia’s millennia-old connection to Christianity and its rich liturgical tradition. Poetic texts spanning fifteen centuries, combined with the music of Armenian-American composer John Hodian, recount the story of the birth and life of Jesus and form what organisers described as a contemporary and innovative Christmas oratorio.
CAPE added that, instead of works by Handel or Bach, this year’s Advent programme will highlight musical traditions from Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion. John Hodian’s oratorio combines settings of early Christian poetry from the fifth century with modern texts by author Wahram Martiroskan and writings by Sahakdukht, considered the earliest known Armenian female poet and composer.
The origins of the Naghash Ensemble trace back to soprano Hasmik Baghdasaryan, whose “distinctive voice” inspired composer John Hodian to form the group after first hearing her fifteen years ago in a temple near Yerevan. The ensemble, which now performs internationally, blends traditional Armenian instruments and vocal styles to create what is described as “a contemporary musical language.”
The performance will feature Hasmik Baghdasaryan (soprano), Tatevik Movsesyan (soprano), Shahane Zalyan (alto), Harutyun Chkolyan (duduk, shvi), Tigran Hovhannisyan (dhol, dumbek, daf) and Aram Nikoghosyan (oud), under the direction of John Hodian (piano).
Tickets cost €26 (standard rate) and €13 (youth rate).
Further information is available at: https://cape.lu/de/naghash-ensemble/14121
