It's A Mystery

Throughout the Catholic world, there are examples of old venerable celebrations and pageants depicting various of the feasts of the holy year. This example from La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Jordi Savall recreates the Mystery Play of Elche. As I occasionally do (hopefully not too often ), I am going to fall back on the start of Jordi Savall's comprehensive booklet notes to give the explanation. "A people's spiritual identity, expressed throughits love and veneration for the Virgin Mary, together with the mystery of the Virgin's deathand assumption, are the main inspiration for the wonderful Mystery Play of Elche. Like the ancient Song of the Sybl, so deeply rooted in Catalonia, Valencia and , in particular. Majorca, this sacred musical drama is a rareand extraordinary example of an outstandingly beautiful musical treasure kept alive over the centuries by the determination, tradition and fervour of an entire people" The official title of the disk is Homenatge al Misteri d' Elx La Vespra. The music contained ranges from acapella singing through to simple single plucked instrument accompaniment ( with a sephardic feel ) to a few instances with a larger ensemble and sound effects such as fireworks and bells. My is sung by Montserrat Figueras and the angel by her daughter Arianna Savall. The saints are sung by Lluis Vilamajo and Pascal Bertin and there is also a trio of apostles. As always with the Alia Vox label, the presentation is superb.