Alghero’s Cant de la Sibil·la performed in Encamp on 8 December

The twinning between Encamp and Alghero will bring a piece of Algherese Christmas tradition to Encamp on 8 December, as the parish hosts a conference and a live performance of the Cant de la Sibil·la—known in Alghero as “Lo Senyal del Judici.” Both events are part of the Fira de Santa Llúcia programme.

At 11:00 the Church of Sant Miquel will host a conference titled “Lo Senyal del Judici, from word to image and to song. From ancient prophecies to the Cant de la Sibil·la of Alghero,” organised by the cultural association Arte in Musica. Speakers Dr Carmela Mura Monfardino and Dr Giuseppe Calaresu will outline the Christianisation of the Sibyl and its integration into Christian pictorial and musical contexts, offering a narrative, musical and iconological journey into sibylline prophecy. The talk is open to the public.

At 17:00 the Church of Santa Eulàlia will stage a concert by the Coral Polifònica de l’Alguer, presenting a special performance of the Cant de la Sibil·la. The prophetic chant, which has been part of Alghero’s liturgical and cultural life since the 14th century, is traditionally sung on Christmas Eve before Midnight Mass. The choir is directed by Ugo Spanu; Gabriele Catalano performs as sibil·ler, with Fabio Frigato on organ, Alessia Sassu on cello, Manuele Costantino on trumpet and Ricardo Collu on drum. Narration is provided by Carmela Mura Monfardino and Giuseppe Calaresu, and musical arrangements are by Stefano Garau and Ugo Spanu.

Founded in 1976, the Coral Polifònica de l’Alguer has for many years performed the Senyal del Judici during the Solemnity of Christmas Night at Alghero Cathedral. The Encamp appearances form part of a three-decade project to safeguard and promote this element of intangible cultural heritage, begun in 1995 with the recording and production of the CD Estudi Polifònic – Dal Cant de la Sibil·la a Montserrat.

In recent years the project has taken the performance beyond Sardinia, with presentations in Barcelona (the Crypt of the Sagrada Família and Santa Maria de Gràcia), Rome (Santa Maria dell’Orto) and Cagliari. In January 2024 the concert “El Cant de la Sibil·la a les Catedrals de la Mediterrània” brought together interpretations from Mallorca, Barcelona, Valencia and Alghero at Palma Cathedral; that programme was repeated last month in Alghero.