News Release

European artists perform traditional carols in Christmas concert

The concert is one of the main features of this year's Light the World initiative

A special holiday concert, “Witnesses of Christmas: Carols of Christ,” celebrating the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ has been produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe. The concert features a collection of traditional Christmas carols, beautifully sung in the diverse styles of several European countries. The music takes one on a journey that highlights cultural richness and unity and celebrates the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Christmas-Concert-2023-01
Christmas-Concert-2023-01
Participants in the "Witnesses of Christmas" concert, from left to right: Tomas Kofod (Denmark), Alexis Defranchi (France), Susan Brownfield (Switzerland), Gerson Santos (Portugal), Jenny Oaks Baker (USA), Alex Sharpe (Ireland), Naura Soul (Spain), Anja Rossau (Denmark), Angela Brower (Netherlands), Aleksandra Zan (Poland) and Serhii Borysenko (Poland).2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD

Music for the concert was arranged by Kurt Bestor with Grammy nominated, Jenny Oaks Baker as music coordinator. The concert was recorded in the historic Wiesbaden Kurhaus, with narration by French native Ophélie Meunier.

Christmas-Concert-2023-02
Christmas-Concert-2023-02
Choir members performing in the "Witnesses of Christmas" concert.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD

“This concert was one of the most meaningful performing experiences I’ve had,” says Susan Brownfield, one of the singers from Switzerland. “I’ve made many friends and acquaintances throughout my years of performing but it was a special experience to meet and perform with such talented artists who also share the same faith as me. It was uplifting, spiritual, and edifying. I won’t soon forget it,” she continues.

The carols performed were selected from various countries and sung by European artists, who are members of the Church. Polish performer Serhii Borysenko said, “For me and my wife, the days of recording the concert were as if we had escaped from this busy world and plunged into the world of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.”

Christmas-Concert-2023-03
Christmas-Concert-2023-03
Musicians performing in the "Witnesses of Christmas" concert.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD

Naura, a performer from Spain said, “Through the music, I have been able to feel the great love that our Heavenly Father has for all his children, uniting so many performers from different places with different languages, in the same place and with the same feeling. This concert has been a great opportunity to share the gospel with the whole world and to show that God is ready to bless his children wherever they are.”

Christmas-Concert-2023-04
Christmas-Concert-2023-04
Children dancing in the "Witnesses of Christmas" concert.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD

Elder De Feo, President of the Europe Central Area extended the following invitation, “We invite you, your family, and friends to come together in fellowship and joy and ‘light the world’ as we lift our voices in praise and gratitude for the extraordinary gift that the birth of Jesus Christ represents.”

Christmas-Concert-2023-05
Christmas-Concert-2023-05
Some of the artists performing in the "Witnesses of Christmas" concert.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD

The concert is now available on the Church official website and on YouTube.

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.