Benedictus

The Christmas Oratorio of Camille Saint-Saens, Op. 12, was originally composed for five soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone), SATB mixed chorus, organ, harp, and strings and consists of ten movements (arranged into five sections). It was composed while Saint-Saens was the organist at L'église de la Madeleine in Paris during the ten days leading up to Christmas in 1858. The Benedictus, arranged here for two flutes and piano by Martin Melicharek, was originally a duet for soprano and baritone soloists accompanied by the organ and harp.