In his day, Marc-Antoine Charpentier was prolific, popular and, unlike so many composers, not lacking for funds. He wrote in virtually every genre - oratorios, motets, even theatre music - but one of his most beloved works was his Christmas Mass, or Messe di minuit pour Noel. A regular offering in our Holiday Songbook, this is no somber sacred work. Charpentier used at least ten carols in his Mass, making it as dancelike as it is devout.
On December 15, 2019, lutenist Paul O'Dette took to the podium to lead a chamber choir and Baroque orchestra in an evening of celebratory Christmas music with Pegasus Early Music, which included Charpentier's spirited Christmas Mass. This was recorded in the Hochstein Performance Hall.
