On the eve of Christmas Eve (Dec. 23) audience members were led along the Chemin de Noël at the Palais Montcalm. La Chapelle de Québec choir and soloist Magalie Simard-Galdès, directed by Bernard Labadie, the founder of Les Violons du Roy, were accompanied by harpist Valérie Milot and organist Marie-Hélène Greffard. This annual event is free, but audience members are asked to make a minimum $20 donation to benefit Moisson Québec. The performance is unusual in that the audience is asked not to applaud at any time, to maintain the meditative mood. As noted in the program, this is “not a concert.” It is “an itinerary of poetry, music and reflection centred on the encounter, a moment of memory and sharing.” Narrator Dorothée Berryman read various short texts and poems between each “step along the way,” perfectly setting the mood for Christmas. Audience members were invited to sing along with the refrains of at least four well-known carols. The event was broadcast live by Radio-Canada to those outside the Palais Montcalm who were unable to get a seat. The recording can be heard at ici.radio-canada. ca/communication/368/chemin-de-noel-2024. It begins with harp and organ music as the choir processes into the theatre while singing. (SN) (Photo by Shirley Nadeau)