Step into the glow of candlelight and the charm of Christmas past with Musicians of the Old Post Road, as we present An 18th-Century Yuletide Celebration by Candlelight—a concert steeped in the seasonal spirit and soundscape of the Baroque and early Classical eras illuminated by hundreds of candles. This festive program transports audiences across time and continent, from the frost-laced hills of Ireland and the pastoral chapels of Germany to the colonial meetinghouses of New England.
Performed on period instruments and with historically informed interpretations, the concert recreates the musical essence of 18th-century holiday gatherings. Many familiar melodies—some in their earliest incarnations—resound anew in this richly textured performance, reconnecting us to the origins of the Christmas carols we know and love today.
The program includes evocative selections such as:
• The Darkest Midnight in December — 18th c. Irish carol from Wexford
• Noël Étranger — Louis-Claude Daquin (1694–1772)
• Pifa from Messiah
• Sinfonia in Pastorale — Pietro Antonacci (18th c.; dates unknown)
• Stille Nacht (original version) — Franz Gruber
• Rondo on God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen — Samuel Wesley (1766–1837), arr. by the ensemble
After intermission, the journey continues with:
• Lulajże, Jezuniu — Trad. Polish Carol, arr. By Chopin and the ensemble
• Shepherds, Rejoice — Isaac Lane (1766-1803)
• The Sleigh Ride (excerpts) — Leopold Mozart (1719–1787)
• Handel’s Water Piece & Joy to the World — Handel (1685–1759), arr. Oliver Shaw (1779–1848) and Lowell Mason (1792–1872)
About the Ensemble
Based in the Boston area, Musicians of the Old Post Road is a distinguished chamber ensemble celebrated for its period instrument performances and adventurous programming. Founded by Artistic Directors Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan, the ensemble specializes in music from the Baroque through early Romantic eras, with a passion for uncovering long-forgotten works and presenting them in engaging, historically inspired contexts.
Named for the historic Boston Post Road—the original 17th-century mail route between Boston and New York—the ensemble’s acclaimed concert series brings audiences into intimate historic venues along this path, enhancing their performances with a strong sense of place and time.
With two Noah Greenberg Awards from the American Musicological Society (2023 and 1998), Old Post Road is praised for its fresh approach to historical performance. The group has toured across North America and Europe, released seven recordings, and frequently collaborates with museums and cultural institutions, including the Yale Center for British Art and the MIT Museum.
Beyond the stage, the ensemble is committed to music education and community outreach, offering residencies, masterclasses, and programs in underserved schools to foster a new generation of early music lovers. Their dedication to accessibility and scholarship is evident through their extensive archives, public program notes, and meticulously edited editions of rediscovered scores.
Join us for this evocative celebration of Yuletide past, where history, holiday, and harmony unite in a magical evening of rediscovery and delight.
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