St. Mary's Cathedral

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.

Reprising Cappella Romana’s first all-chant concert in 2001, Epiphany features an ecstatic repertoire of Old Roman and medieval Byzantine chant. Celebrated across the Roman Empire, Epiphany honored both Christ’s nativity and baptism. New Rome (Constantinople) focused on his baptism in the Jordan (Theophany) while Old Rome embraced the adoration of the Magi, expanding Christmas to twelve days. Old and New Rome: two eternal Cities, one eternal Epiphany.