Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/01/2018
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
The Basilica of Saint Mary
Categories
L’enfance du Christ or The Childhood of Christ composed by Hector Berlioz between 1850 and 1854, vividly and captivatingly brings to life one of the more unexplored periods of the life of Our Lord. The period after the Nativity and up to the Flight Into Egypt is spoken of briefly in the Gospels, but nevertheless contains a wealth of spiritual fruit and inspiration for Catholics and all Christians. From the prophetic announcement of the birth of Our Lord, which opens the oratorio, through the tormented madness of the court of Herod, to the profound love of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary for their newborn child, to the arduous journey into a foreign land, and finally to a welcoming and joy filled reception in that land, Hector Berlioz fashions a musical journey that is one of the most unforgettable experiences in the sacred, and indeed, the entire classical music repertoire.
The message of this oratorio, as timely today as in every age, is the contrast between a life lived in fear, vanity, and the pursuit of power, and a life lived through faith, hope, and love.
Our performance of The Childhood of Christ at the Basilica of Saint Mary, along with other events at our Basilica, featuring renowned authors and intellectuals, further solidifies our Basilica as a focal point of Catholic culture in the Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia area. In the context of a Christian society which continues to lose touch with its Christian roots, this concert, as well as the entire Basilica Concert Series, seeks to contribute to the re-evangelization of our society desired so deeply by the Holy See.
The concert will take place on Thursday, February 1 at 7pm in the church. Admission is free and a reception will follow in the Lyceum Auditorium (313 Duke Street). Please note, the elevator will be unavailable in the Lyceum that evening due to maintenance and repairs. We apologize for the inconvenience.
