San Paolo (Brazil). On 11 December 2022, in Sao Paulo, in the Chapel of Our Lady Senhora Aparecida Province, the “Madrigal Santa Cecilia” choir from the city of Bom Jesus dos Perdões (SP), performed the “Christmas Cantata”, an appointment of music and spirituality for the Province Christmas greetings.
The event was born on the initiative of the director of the group, José Roberto Forte, a former pupil of the Heart of Jesus School in São Paulo and son of a former Oratorian of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
Accompanied by the organist Guilherme Labriola, the “Madrigal Santa Cecilia”, founded in 1988, presented twelve pieces. The pieces ‘Cantate Domino’ by G. F. Häendell; ‘The Lord has done great things in me’ by J. Gelineau; and Jesus, ‘Joy of men’ by J. S. Bach; and ‘Magnificat’ by P. J. B. Lehmann, were performed on the pipe organ of the College Chapel Santa Inês by the Director, José Roberto. This organ was built by Giovanni Tamburini, in the city of Crema, Italy, and mounted in the College Chapel in 1960.
On the occasion, the Provincial, Sr. Alaide Deretti, addressed a message of good wishes to those present and to the Educating Communities connected through the province social networks, emphasizing that Christmas this year is “a Christmas different from all the others”:
“Certainly, this afternoon of singing, musical notes, melodies, rhythms, pauses, and silences have transformed our life into a beautiful crib. We have thus expanded our inner space which already has an owner and a gift. The owner is He, Jesus, son of David, the Savior announced by the prophets and awaited by all nations; a sprout, a new sprout that brings new life and newness of life, of hope for those in search of joy, for those who believe and a gift: the gift of peace!” said Sr. Alaide.
The “Christmas Cantata” ended with thanks to the members of the “Madrigal Santa Cecilia”, who offered the best of themselves: love and passion for music, lived and shared art, human and Christian values that give fullness to life.