Madrid also celebrates Christmas through music. To the extensive program of Christmas activities that unfolds in the capital, is added the opportunity to attend a free concert on December 22.
Great baroque composers such as Vivaldi and Bach share the program with the spiritual melodies of the French composer Messiasen, the Basque composer Aita Donostia and a children’s choir. The performances will take place in the historic Basilica of Jesús de Medinaceli, located in the heart of Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras (Plaza de Jesús, 2).
Both the music and the religious atmosphere contribute to recreate the Christmas spirit of the concert, combining emotion and tradition. The concert will begin at 8:30 p.m. and tickets, free until full capacity is reached, can already be reserved through Eventbrite.
Music from San Sebastian to Madrid
The Christmas Concert is part of the third edition of the Aita Donostia Festival, dedicated to exploring the link between the French composer Maurice Ravel on the 150th anniversary of his birth and the Basque Aita Donostia.
The program is inspired by the relationship of friendship and admiration between the two, so the repertoires of the artists and other authors close to them are combined. This will strengthen the ties between France and the Basque Country, enriching the cultural perspective of the event.
The Christmas performance will feature the NEWCO – The New Chamber Orchestra, formed by young talents; the EASO Choir with its mixed voices and EASO Txiki, formed by 7 or 8 year old children from San Sebastian. Finally, top level soloists such as Tatiana Samouil, Natalia Tchitch, Pavel Gomziakov and Josu Okiñena will be present.
Heritage and Christmas spirit
The musical journey begins with recognizable melodies by Vivaldi and Bach, such as the Four Seasons, and continues with the spirituality of French composers such as Messiaen. The final touch will be provided by the carols of Aita Donostia, which reflect the Basque Christmas tradition through the interpretation of the choir.
The stage will also play a fundamental role, since it is the Basilica of Jesus de Medinaceli. Although in the past it housed a Convent of Trinitarians, the current building was erected in 1930 and is governed by the Capuchin order.
In addition to its sober and elegant facade, the basilica stands out for housing the image of Jesus de Medinaceli, a processional carving of the seventeenth century great fervor among the people of Madrid. The figure of Christ presides over the main altar and every year, on the first Friday of March, a popular kissing procession is held , attended by thousands of devotees.
Thanks to the spaciousness of the church and the solemnity of the space, the musicians will be able to distribute themselves comfortably to offer this Christmas concert on December 22.