Title: "The Virgin With Angels".
Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).
Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).
Date: 1900.
Current location: Petit Palais, Paris, France.
Source/Photographer: Art Renewal Center image.
Copied from the English Wikipedia to Commons.
Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).
(Wikimedia Commons)
"O, Holy Night."
Sung by Celine Dion.
Available on YouTube at
The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.
In Roquemaure, France, at the end of 1843, the Church Organ was renovated. To celebrate the event, the Parish Priest asked Cappeau, a native of Roquemaure, to write a Christmas poem. Cappeau did it, although being a professed Anti-Cleric and Atheist.
Soon after, Adam wrote the music. The Carol was premiered in Roquemaure, in 1847, by the Opera Singer Emily Laurey.
Unitarian Minister John Sullivan Dwight, Editor of "Dwight's Journal of Music", created a singing edition, based on Cappeau's French Text, in 1855. In both the French original, and in the two familiar English versions of the Carol, the Text reflects on The Birth of Jesus and of Humanity's Redemption.
Having visited and admired this blog over many months, I apologise now for criticising this post but this version of this Carol is very disappointing. The Celine Dion version has been made into a sort of pop song. For a more appropriate version please listen to the King's College Cambridge Choir at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYyhLkQV6no
ReplyDeleteThank you for your valued Comment, ALDU. It is, indeed, a well-thought-out opinion and one which I do not, in any way, take issue with.
ReplyDeleteThe main aim of including Celine Dion's version of O Holy Night was to underscore the profundity and Holiness of this forthcoming night. I feel this was achieved by her version.
I have listened to your excellent suggestion of The King's College Cambridge Choir's version and I must agree with you. It is an excellent rendition and one that I am happy to endorse to all Readers. Thank you for suggesting that version.
I look forward to more of your most welcome and interesting Comments.