2021’s enchanting Christmas with Stingray Classica

For all those who appreciate wonderful performances and the classics, Stingray Classica sets up a spectacular programming shrouded in the magic of Christmas during all of December. Christmas is all about experiencing enchanting moments and relishing invaluable memories. Stingray Classica's charming December programming promises to make your Christmas a very merry one indeed. 

And it gets even better: as our gift to you, you can watch 12 seasonal selections from Stingray Classica's Christmas catalogue for free on Stingray Classica's on-demand platform from December 13 to 26! 

To light the way through Stingray Classica's wealth of yuletide gems, we spoke to Hidde Hoogstraten, a classical music lover, who also happens to be Stingray Classica's chief editor. 

What about the annual Christmas programming do you look forward to most?

“We have such an abundance of Christmas content that we can wrap the whole of December in a Christmas theme. I always enjoy creating an incredibly rich seasonal programming for this special month.” 

What can we expect from 2021’s Christmas programming on Stingray Classica?  

“We show some wonderful new programs this year, including J. S. Bach's Christmas cantatas, which air on Christmas eve. As well as enchantingly beautiful choral music, we broadcast a number of atmospheric Christmas concerts. What's more, our programming features seasonal classics that everyone knows and loves, including Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballets Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty, and Engelbert Humperdinck's German fairy-tale opera, Hänsel und Gretel.” 

What is your personal favorite Christmas classic from this year’s programming?  

“As a classical music enthusiast, my personal favorite is J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Every Christmas Eve we broadcast a version of this composition. I think it's simply one of the most beautiful Christmas-themed musical pieces ever written. The Nutcracker also remains a true classic, enjoyed by many every year. The Nutcracker will appeal to anyone who appreciates musical performances, and is great to enjoy with the entire family.” 

Lastly, which “Hidde(n) gem” in this year’s programming should we definitely not miss? 

“We have a wonderful new concert program, “A Christmas tale”. It offers a selection of chants from a number of composers, ranging all the way from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque to more recent periods. All this music is dedicated to the theme of Christmas. I will definitely be watching “A Christmas tale” myself, which is broadcast on the morning of December 26.” 

We hope we have inspired you with these great tips and recommendations to celebrate 2021’s enchanted Classical Christmas. Would you like to know more about Stingray Classica's  Christmas programming? For a full overview of this year’s December programming, please visit the Stingray Classica website.

Stingray wishes you a magical Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.