Beloved Christmas Tradition Makes Its Return to Brussels This Year

A cherished Christmas tradition returns to Brussels this year

It is the annual Christmas concert in the city’s magnificent Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula.

It takes place on Friday, December 27 at 5 pm and is again organized by the association ARS in Cathedrali.

The concert features the Choir of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, which was founded in September 2019 and brings together singers from across southern Belgium to passionately perform major symphonic works with choir and oratorios.

The event will feature works by César Franck, Théodore Dubois, and Clémence de Grandval.

Under the direction of Anthony Vigneron, supported by Fabienne Pétrisse and Sarah Waterman, the choir aspires to be a partner for professional orchestras.

The co-principal organist of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels and composer, Xavier Deprez, is artistic director, along with Bart Jacobs, of the cathedral’s concert series.

Deprez also serves as president of BSO (Brussels Ses Orgues) and was president of SERVIR (the association of church employees) for ten years.

He teaches organ at the Music Academy of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in Brussels and was a professor at the Mons Conservatory until 2018.

Xavier Deprez has composed numerous psalms and masses, as well as pieces for a cappella choir and for organ and solo instruments.

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. It publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and explores the international agenda with a European perspective.


Comments

3 responses to “Beloved Christmas Tradition Makes Its Return to Brussels This Year”

  1. sun lemon Avatar

    Looks like Brussels is putting the “fun” back in “fundamentalist hymns” with this concert! 🎶 I mean, nothing says “jolly holiday spirit” quite like a 5 PM choir showdown in a cathedral—hope they serve mulled wine to drown out the inevitable off-key notes. 🍷😄

  2. FireBrang Avatar

    Oh great, another festive sing-along in a draughty cathedral, just what the doctor ordered! 🎶 Nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like trying to keep your toes warm while listening to a choir belting out tunes from the 19th century, right? 😂

  3. Sun Washer Avatar

    Oh joy, nothing screams “the festive season” quite like a choir concert in a gothic cathedral—because who doesn’t want to mix the holiday spirit with a good dose of solemnity? 🎶✨ Just what Brussels needed to spice up the post-Christmas blues!

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