"L'enfance du Christ" ("The Childhood of Christ") is an oratorio by Hector Berlioz.
It tells the story of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus fleeing to Egypt to escape the threat of King Herod.
The oratorio in three parts: Herod's Dream, The Flight to Egypt and The Arrival at Sais.
The entire piece can take almost two hours to perform.
In 1969, Byron Hanson adapted "L'enfance du Christ" for a December concert performance at Interlochen Arts Academy.
Music heard in this episode
Hector Berlioz, L’Enfance du Christ
Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra and Choir (1969-70 Academy Year)
Soloists: Waldie Anderson, Tenor/Narrator; Janice Harsanyi, Soprano; Albert DeRuiter, Bass-Baritone; Theodore Loudermilk, Baritone
The archival recordings heard on this program are available thanks in part to The Association for Recorded Sound Collections' Classical Music Preservation Grant, support from IPR listeners, and the Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation.
Michael Culler and Stefan Wiebe provided audio engineering assistance.
Anastasia Scholze provided research and production support.
