music room -
holiday songs
Because of software changes, our music player is no longer functioning. We are currently reworking the Music Room to make playing audio selections simpler and easier. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
For the holidays, we are posting five seasonal selections that Sills recorded in 1955 at age 26. The one-sided 10-inch LP was a promotional gift from the architectural firm Fordyce and Hamby. The LP was titled "Beverly Sills Sings Songs for Christmas 1955." The organ accompanist is Howard Kubik. To listen to these songs, click the play button on the music player below:
| 1955 |
1. Gentle Mary - is a Catalan Folk-Song arranged by Raymond McFeeters with words by Martha Dughn Locker |
| 2. Little Christ Jesus - is by Dion W. Kennedy with words by Eleanor Farjeon |
| 3. T'was in the Moon of Winter Time - is first Christmas carol of the Indians of Manhattan Island and was written by St. Jean de Brebeuf and arranged by Pietro Yon |
| 4. Cantique de Noel - is by Adolphe Adam |
| 5. Bless This House - is by May H. Brahe with words by Helen Taylor |
Bonus: Here is true rarity - Sills singing after her official retirement. The occasion was a televised "In Performance at the White House" on Dec. 20, 1981. Sills was the host for the concert featuring eight young singers from the New York City Opera. At the end of the program, President Ronald Reagan asked Sills to lead a round of holiday carols, acknowledging that she was officially retired from her singing career. Sills graciously accepted and began the caroling by singing two verses of "Jingle Bells." 6. "Jingle Bells" |
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Total time = 12 minutes
Total files = 06
