CHANT ENCOUNTERS: OLD SAINT NICK

Conductor: John Michael Boyer

Long before gift-giving and reindeer, there was St. Nicholas of Myra—the 4th-century bishop whose deep compassion made him one of Christianity’s most beloved saints. From the medieval West, we’ll sing the remarkable isometric motet O Gemma lux by Guillaume Dufay. From the Byzantine tradition an exquisite Kalophonic (“beautiful sounding”) chant for his feast day by Manuel Chrysaphes (15th c.). We finish with Arvo Pärt’s “O Holy Saint Nicholas,” featured on Cappella Romana’s acclaimed recording Odes of Repentance, a contemporary meditation that bridges ancient tradition and modern spirituality.