Since 2014, Voices of Ascension has partnered with conservatories and young artist programs to feature a series of young soloists as part of Voices of Promise. Each year at the Candlelight Christmas Concert, we have featured one of these soloists, and tomorrow’s virtual Holiday program (which otherwise features footage from previous year’s concerts) will include a recorded-at-home clip by baritone Justin Austin. 

Today’s clip features tenor Joseph Tancredi, who was at the time a student at the Manhattan School in a spectacular rendition of Adolphe Adam’s “O Holy Night.” This beloved carol—a favorite holiday showstopper of everyone from Pavarotti and Domingo to Mariah Carey and Ella Fitzgerald—had its original French lyrics written wine merchant Placide Cappeau (a socialist and possible heretic) and presented to composer Adolphe Adam (who may or may not have been Jewish). It was first performed in 1847 by opera singer Émily Laurey at the church of St. Jean-Baptiste et Jean l’Évangeliste, and has been a favorite ever since. 

– Wesley Chinn, Artistic Administrator

ADOLPHE ADAM O Holy Night

Voice of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director
Joseph Tancredi, Tenor
David Enlow, Organ

Recorded live at the Voices of Ascension CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Wednesday, December 12, 2018, The Church of the Ascension, New York City
The singers in this performance are represented by the
American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.