The two-hour-long evening began with the young voices of ‘Crotchets ‘n’ Quavers’, a children’s choir.
Their gleeful strains drew much applause and helped the audience settle down at the 55th edition of ‘Carols by Candlelight’, Madras Musical Association’s (MMA) annual Christmas concert.
The show featured a variety of the city’s gospel singers and was organised and conducted by Augustine Paul.
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Before the hosts, the choir from Adyar House of Prayer, conducted by Tamil Selvan, enthralled the crowd with melodies. And when the 70 members of the 118-year-old MMA choir, all dressed in black, took to the stage, it was to marvellous applause.
The show began with a solo by assistant music director Ebenezer Arunkumar. The four-part choir clapped and danced in time with the music, which was interspersed with short skits performed by the children.
Pianist Edwin Roy and a group of young flautists accompanied the singers.
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Much to the delight of the audience, popular soloists like Anisha Chandy, Roshni Sharon and Nadisha also performed.
Towards the end of the concert, the audience was asked to join the choir with lit candles.
Moving slowly to the melody of well-known carols such as ‘Oh Holy Night’, ‘Away in a manger’, ‘Oh little town of Bethlehem’ and ‘Silent Night’, the camaraderie and spirit of the season seemed to unite everyone and envelop them in a festive warmth on a chilly December evening.