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Christmas Concert 

Celebrate the magic of the season with a special Christmas Concert, part of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation’s (ADMAF) Spiritual Series, featuring the Antonine University Choir from Lebanon, conducted by Oussama Mhanna, with soloists Mira Akiki, Grace Medawar and Louisa El Khoury, accompanied by pianist Marc Karam.

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Celebrate the magic of the season with a special Christmas Concert, part of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation’s (ADMAF) Spiritual Series, featuring the Antonine University Choir from Lebanon, conducted by Oussama Mhanna, with soloists Mira Akiki, Grace Medawar and Louisa El Khoury, accompanied by pianist Marc Karam. The programme showcases the radiant brilliance of Vivaldi’s Gloria (RV 589), alongside cherished Christmas carols and sacred arias, creating an uplifting and joyful musical experience that blends classical excellence with the warmth and spirit of the season.

  • icon Location
    St Francis — Abrahamic Family House
  • icon Date
    17-December-2025
  • icon Time
    12:00 am

PROGRAMME:  

Part I
A. Vivaldi (1678–1741)
Gloria (RV 589) 

  1. Gloria in excelsis Deo 
  2. Et in terra pax hominibus 
  3. Laudamus te 
  4. Gratias agimus tibi 
  5. Propter magnam gloriam tuam 
  6. Domine Deus 
  7. Domine Fili unigenite 
  8. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei 
  9. Qui tollis peccata mundi 
  10. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris 
  11. Quoniam tu solus sanctus 
  12. Cum Sancto Spiritu 

Part II
Christmas hymns 

 

 ARTISTS  

Antonine University Choir — Lebanon 

One of the leading choirs in Lebanon, Antonine University Choir was founded in Baabda, Lebanon, in 1978. Since the 1980s, it has contributed to the cultural enrichment of Lebanese musical life through its extensive repertoire. 

The choir has performed in Rome, Milan, Nice, Lyon, Monaco, St. Étienne, Doha, Dubai, Al Ain, Jordan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Tbilisi, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Muscat, Naples, Venice, Helsinki, Brazil and Amman. It has participated in the Classical Music Festival of Al Ain (United Arab Emirates, 2008-2009), Al Bustan International Festival (2009-2019), Byblos International Festival (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014), Baalbeck International Festival (2011-2018, 2020, 2025), Beirut Chants Festival (2008-2023), Abu Dhabi Festival (2023), Ehdeniyat (2016), Tbilisi Opera Festival (2012), Festival d’Île-de-France (2012-2013) and Bahrain International Music Festival (2013). 

In May 2010, April 2013 and May 2015, the choir performed at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York. It made its Los Angeles debut in April 2014 at LA City Hall and in November 2016, it made its debut at the San Carlo Opera House. The choir also represented Lebanon at the opening of the Lebanese Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale in May 2017. In July 2025, the choir performed in the new production of Bizet’s Carmen at the Baalbeck International Festival in Lebanon. 

Mira Akiki, Soprano  

Grace Medawar, Mezzo-soprano  

Louisa El Khoury, Soprano  

Marc Karam, Piano  

Oussama Mhanna, Conductor