jmc's classics
O Holy Night is one of the most popular and best loved Christmas carols. Not to be confused with Silent night which is more popular. Both have their origins in the 19th century. and there have been countless recording made of both carols.
Silent night was written by Franz Gruber to be played at midnight mass on the guitar. O Holy Night was a French carol and was written by French composer Adolph Adam (1803-1856) I remember both carols from my childhood. I also remember the ballet Giselle which was Adam's other famous work. He wrote other ballets as well as operas. Most are insignificant. The two operas which recordings are available of are Le Toreador and Le Postillion di Lonjameau. Giselle is a ballet set in the middle ages. The protagonist Gisselle. She falls in love with Duke Albrecht of Silesia who has flirted with her. he is betrothed to somebody else. He has flirted with Giselle. Hilarion a gamekeeper is also in love with Giselle and is suspicious of Albrecht. Giselle goes crazy and dies. The Wilis or ghosts haunt Albrecht. That is a summary of the plot. I remember this ballet from my childhood. THe other famous ballets that I remember are Swan lake by Tchaikovsky and The Nutcracker also by Tchaikovsky. The later is also popular at this time of year. I don't know that much about Le Toreador. However One of the areas Ah! vouus dirai-je, maman has the same melody as Twinke twinkle little star. O Holy Night was known in French as Minuit Chretirns! or Cantique de Noel. the words come from the French poem Minuit Chretiens by the French poet Placide Cappeau (1808-1877). It reflects the birth of Jesus and humanities redemption. This is the main theme of the carol.
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