Traditional chant of the "Sibil·la"

On December 24, nearly all the churches on Mallorcan hold the "Matines", the Christmas Eve service to commemorate the birth of Jesus. The chant of the Sibil·la, with ancient origins and that is only preserved in Alguer (Sardinia) and Mallorca, is one of the most emotional moments of this celebration. The chant foretells the end of the world and in former times was a grand ceremony starring, normally, a young boy with a clear voice, dressed in a tunic, a robe of embroidered silk, a hat, bearing a large sword.

The chant is also the central part of the "Tradicional Festa de la Sibil·la" that takes place on the day of San Esteban, December 26, in the Santa Eulalia church in Palma, with the Capella Mallorquina with Tomeu Veny at the organ and Josep M. Moreno as the conductor.

Real Audio: chant of the Sibil·la, interpreted by Pere Antoni Canyelles Pons of the Blavets de Lluc (11:14)

Date of publication: 23/12/2000

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