For their first concert in Montreal since their creation in 1954, the renowned Boston Camerata has joined forces with the Arabic music ensemble SHARQ to introduce us to traditional Christmas carols from the Mediterranean basin. From northern Africa to southern Europe, different cultures, languages and traditions come together in a great message of love and hope.

With SHARQ Arabic Ensemble.

With SHARQ Arabic Ensemble.

With SHARQ Arabic Ensemble.

The Christmas narrative retold using songs, chants, and instrumental pieces from the countries of the Mediterranean basin: Spain, Italy, and southern France, as well as north Africa and the Holy Land. Works are drawn from medieval manuscripts and more recent, though still archaic, folklore and oral traditions. With voices, early instruments of Europe and the Middle East, and readings of the Christmas story. Camerata is joined by SHARQ Arabic Ensemble. Anne Azéma – voice, hurdy-gurdy & director Camila Parias – voice Deborah Rentz-Moore – voice Steven Lundahl – brass, recorder Karim Nagi – percussion, voice Boujemaa Ragui – oud, ney, voice, percussion Mehmet Sanlikol – voice, oud Beth Bahia Cohen – vielle

The Christmas narrative retold using songs, chants, and instrumental pieces from the countries of the Mediterranean basin: Spain, Italy, and southern France, as well as north Africa and the Holy Land. Works are drawn from medieval manuscripts and more recent, though still archaic, folklore and oral traditions. With voices, early instruments of Europe and the Middle East, and readings of the Christmas story. Camerata is joined by SHARQ Arabic Ensemble. Anne Azéma – voice, hurdy-gurdy & director Camila Parias – voice Deborah Rentz-Moore – voice Steven Lundahl – brass, recorder Karim Nagi – percussion, voice Boujemaa Ragui – oud, ney, voice, percussion Mehmet Sanlikol – voice, oud Beth Bahia Cohen – vielle

The Christmas narrative retold using songs, chants, and instrumental pieces from the countries of the Mediterranean basin: Spain, Italy, and southern France, as well as north Africa and the Holy Land. Works are drawn from medieval manuscripts and more recent, though still archaic, folklore and oral traditions. With voices, early instruments of Europe and the Middle East, and readings of the Christmas story. Camerata is joined by SHARQ Arabic Ensemble. Anne Azéma – voice, hurdy-gurdy & director Camila Parias – voice Deborah Rentz-Moore – voice Steven Lundahl – brass, recorder Karim Nagi – percussion, voice Boujemaa Ragui – oud, ney, voice, percussion Mehmet Sanlikol – voice, oud Beth Bahia Cohen – vielle

The Christmas narrative retold using songs, chants, and instrumental pieces from the countries of the Mediterranean basin: Spain, Italy, and southern France, as well as north Africa and the Holy Land. Works are drawn from medieval manuscripts and more recent, though still archaic, folklore and oral traditions. With voices, early instruments of Europe and the Middle East, and readings of the Christmas story. Camerata is joined by SHARQ Arabic Ensemble. Anne Azéma – voice, hurdy-gurdy & director Camila Parias – voice Deborah Rentz-Moore – voice Steven Lundahl – brass, recorder Karim Nagi – percussion, voice Boujemaa Ragui – oud, ney, voice, percussion Mehmet Sanlikol – voice, oud Beth Bahia Cohen – vielle