Cappella Romana’s conductor Alexander Lingas directs the Cappella Romana vocal ensemble in an exhilarating Christmas celebration like no other. Presenting Byzantine chants for Christmastide in Greek, Arabic, and English. This debut release by PRÓTO, The Sun of Justice: Byzantine Chant for Christmas, presents traditional chants for the Byzantine celebration of Christmas, including selections from The Royal Hours, Vespers, Matins, and the Divine Liturgy. A deluxe 32-page booklet is included with full text in Greek, Arabic, and English. Featuring classical chants in Greek primarily by Petros Peloponnesios (1730–1778). Adaptations into Arabic primarily by Mitri El Murr (1880–1969) and those into English by John Michael Boyer (b. 1978) closely echo the originals in form, style, and grace. Featuring over two hours of traditional Byzantine chants for Christmas. Próto is a collaboration of two protopsaltes (“first cantors”): John Michael Boyer, Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco; and the Reverend Deacon John Rassem El Massih, Protopsaltis of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Their shared vision in excellence in traditional Byzantine Music within the liturgical life of Orthodox Christian parishes, as well as the advancement, development, and composition of traditional Byzantine Music in the English language is stunning. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
Remarkable singing and vocal ensemble accompaniment by the Cappella Romana vocal ensemble. Presenting music with passion and scholarship in its exploration of early and contemporary music of the Christian East and West.
Bottom Line:
Presenting Byzantine chants for Christmastide in Greek, Arabic, and English, PRÓTO brings us a Christmas musical collection like no other. A fascinating and entertaining listen from start to finish. The singing is unmatched, and the various languages are a real treat to listen to and follow along with. A 32-page booklet is included with this release, with full texts in Greek, Arabic, and English. This album has been endorsed by Their Eminences JOSEPH, Antiochian Orthodox Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America, and GERASIMOS, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of San Francisco.