Tidings by Torchlight

Description

This setting of a traditional French Carol captures the spirit of children dressing up as shepherds and milkmaids, singing carols as they make their way to midnight mass on Christmas.

Program Notes

“Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” is a 16th-century French carol traditionally associated with the Provence region of France. It first appeared in a book of French Christmas carols in 1533, although the tune itself was known since the 14th century as a lively dance. Even today, some communities uphold the tradition of children dressing up as shepherds and milkmaids while singing this on the way to midnight Mass on Christmas. It is in that spirit that I have set “Tidings by Torchlight”.