The American Swedish Institute’s Lucia Choir brought a bit of light to these dark days through the museum’s annual Lucia Celebration Concert, commemorating the Feast of Saint Lucia, practiced in Sweden as well as other Scandinavian countries.

The choir, made up of children and teenagers who rehearse for five weeks, performed two sold-out concerts at Larson Hall in the Nelson Cultural Center on Sunday. Led by Lucia choir director Ingrid Aune, with accompanist Janis Aune impressively switching between piano, Nyckelharpa (a bowed string instrument with more strings than a violin, and held by the waist), and harp, the group admirably rang in the festival of light.

At times, the young people doubled as instrumentalists, accompanying the singing as part of ASI’s Lilla Lag fiddle/cello folk music ensemble. The youth will perform a sold-out final show in the museum’s historic Turnblad mansion on Dec. 13.

The feast day of Lucia of Syracuse (283–304), also known as Saint Lucy Day, began to be celebrated in the Middle Ages, around the time of the winter solstice, which earlier had been celebrated as a pagan holiday. The tradition of a young woman being crowned with a wreath of candles has been documented as taking place in the 18th century, but didn’t gain widespread popularity until the 20th century.

It’s not a surprise that in 2023, ASI would use electric candles rather than real ones for the holiday event. You get the idea of what actual candles might look like without worrying some child will accidentally trip and cause a tragedy. Illuminating the dimly lit auditorium, Lucia’s “candles,” as well as those held by the young singers, created a warm, mysterious atmosphere.

The Lucia Celebration 2023 at the American Swedish Institute, was led by Wayzata High School senior Linnea Källebo, as Lucia, and her attendants, played by Blake High senior Petra Ekstrom and East Ridge High School junior Sofie Gumaelius, from Woodbury. (Sheila Regan)

The concert began with the famous “Sankta Lucia,” originally a Neapolitan tune, with a procession of two choirs — Choir II made of older students, and Choir I made of young children. Leading the group was Wayzata High School senior Linnea Källebo, as Lucia, and her attendants, played by Blake High senior Petra Ekstrom and East Ridge High School junior Sofie Gumaelius, from Woodbury.

The two choirs sang together at times, and each group had opportunities to shine by themselves. The older singers in Choir II were impressive, with the warm feelings of “Wölkommen hem” (Welcome Home) being a highlight.

As Lucia, Källebo demonstrated a clear, bell-like voice that fit the character of Lucia. Her solo in “När juldags morgon glimmar” (When Christmas Morn is Dawning), held the audience rapt. Källebo also sang as a trio with her two attendants and at one point, in a group of five, with lovely harmonies.

The younger singers brought a sprightly energy to the performance. Some of the little ones wore red Santa hats, and circled around the auditorium during “Tomtarnas julnatt” (The Tomtar’s Christmas Night) in one of the most high-energy numbers.

There were a few rough moments in the show. These are kids, after all, not professionals. And yet the young singers and musicians put a lot of heart into the show, and brought grace and sweet reverence to the cultural music.

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