In Nativitate Domini

A recreation of Christmas Day in the Early Middles Ages, the concert begins with the Matins Liturgy, celebrated before sunrise, followed by Mass. Complementing the Gregorian music, a Christmas Sequence will be sung which was written by the Benedictine monk Notker Balbulus (a composer and poet who lived in the 10th century in the monastery of São Galo, Switzerland). Following the Sequence, at the liturgically appropriate moment, the Sermon of Father António Vieira (dedicated to the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) will be read. The concert will end with the Marian antiphon Alma Redemptoris Mater, from the Compline office, the last moment of prayer of the day.

Ad Invitatorium
Ant. Christus natus est nobis cum Ps. 94

Ad Officium Lectionis
Hymnus: Candor aeternae

In I Nocturno
Ant I. Dominus dixit ad me
Ant II. Tamquam sponsus
Ant III. Diffusa est gratia     

In II Nocturno
Ant IV. Suscepimus Deus
Ant V. Orietur
Ant VI. Veritas de terra orta est

In III Nocturno
Ant VII. Ipse invocabit me
Ant VIII. Laetentur caeli
Ant IX. Notum fecit Dominus

Ad Missam in Die
Introitus: Puer natus est nobis
Graduale: Viderunt omnes
Alleluia Dies sanctificatus

Notker Balbulus (c. 840-912)
Sequentia: Natus ante saecula

Padre António Vieira (1608-1697) Sermon on the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Offertorium: Tui sunt caeli
Communio: Viderunt omnes

Ad Completorium
Ant. Alma Redemptoris Mater

Armando Possante direction
Luís Madureira recital

Misericórdia de Lisboa

Free admission, subject to capacity. Collect tickets on the day (10.00 – 21.30) from São Roque Museum (max. two tickets per person).
Age rating: +6
Institutional support: Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa