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© Mina Efandiari
Christmas Oratorio
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December 2025 | ||||||
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Christmas Oratorio – Camille Saint-Saëns | Sacred Music
Duration: approximately 1h10
The rare Christmas Oratorio by Saint-Saëns, conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock and performed by the Paris Chamber Orchestra.
Gounod and Saint-Saëns, born about fifteen years apart, shared mutual admiration. In 1883, Gounod, delighted that Saint-Saëns was finally receiving the recognition he deserved, wrote of him: "He is simply a musician of the great lineage: he draws and paints with the free hand of a master; and, if being oneself means not imitating anyone, he is certainly himself." Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio, first performed in 1858 at the Madeleine Church where he was organist, was influenced by Gounod’s Messe de Sainte-Cécile, composed a few years earlier. Composed around the same time, Gounod’s Symphony No. 1 highlights his melodious talent while also conveying an energy and dramatic sense that would later be developed in his operas. Hengelbrock returns to a composer he knows well, having notably conducted a celebrated Faust at the Opéra national de Paris in 2022.
Program and cast
Paris Chamber Orchestra
Thomas Hengelbrock | conductor
Singers in residence at the Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris
Program
Opening the program
Gounod Symphony No. 1
Produced by Paris Chamber Orchestra
In collaboration with the Palazzetto Bru Zane – Centre for French Romantic Music and the Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris
Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées is undoubtedly one of the finest venues in Paris . Built in 1913 , it has the distinction of having been designed by a group of artists architects Henry Van de Velde and Auguste Perret , the painter and sculptor Antoine Bourdelle , the painter Maurice Denis , and the crystal- René Lalique to do mention the main ones . He was the first Parisian theater to be built entirely of reinforced concrete.
Restoration of the Great Hall devoted to operatic performances , symphony concerts and dance was decided in 1985. Two years later , on 23 September 1987, the theater reopened its doors , completely renovated. Fifteen years after this important work it was decided to undertake a new renovation campaign , but to prevent the complete closure of the theater for an entire season , work is now carried by step during the summer . Then it is to replace aging equipment , to remedy wear certain parts of the theater and improve spectator comfort and artists during their visit . Thus in recent years, including the work involved the renovation of marble facade, replacing the carpet in the room with wooden floors , installation of a new fully decorated wooden concert to a significant improvement of acoustics, the orchestra pit and stage below .
The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées is now a modern working tool receiving each year nearly 300,000 spectators and a few thousands of artists and collaborators.
The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées , the jewel of French architecture of the twentieth century, was in 1953 one of the first buildings of contemporary architectural heritage to be classified as historic monuments . Since 1970 the Caisse des Dépôts owns the entire building 15 avenue Montaigne and principal patron of the theater.
For over a century, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has been the place where the most celebrated artists have come to make their names in Paris. The world’s finest orchestras and world-class soloists have always been a fixture at the Theatre. Théâtre des Champs-Elysées presents more than 200 concerts each year and is renowned for its outstanding performances of all genres, from classical music concerts and staged opera to contemporary dance and jazz.
How to reach us:
Subway: Alma-Marceau (line 9), Franklin D.Roosevelt (line 1), Pont de l’Alma (RER line C)
Bus: n° 42, 63, 72, 80, 92
Taxi station: Place de l’Alma, corner of avenue George V
Car park: Alma George V. The entrance is in front of n° 19, avenue George V
Fixed rate depending on the length of the performance. Payment upon entering.
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