As my contribution for these Christmas days, here is an impressive rendition of Adam's Cantique de Noël (the English version can be found elsewhere on YT), which, 75 years after it was recorded, still is considered a reference for all singers who interpreted it after Thill, who definitely set the standard. Georges Thill (1897--1984) was often considered France's greatest tenor of his day. His career lasted from 1924 to 1953. Thill made his opera debut at the Paris Opéra in 1924, and continued to perform there and at the Opéra-Comique for decades. He also sang throughout Europe and in South America, and was highly successful at La Scala, the Rome Opera, the Verona Arena, the Vienna State Opera, the Teatro Colón and Covent Garden. He made many recordings and appeared in several films. This unforgettable version of the well-known carol was made for Columbia. This technically most remarkable recording, apparently not made in a studio but in a large cathedral, dates from September 26th, 1932. Mr. Thill was accompanied by a chorus, organ and orchestra directed by Armand Bernard.

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