Carolling with the German ambassador

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My darlings, in the midst of the electioneering and politicking, one could easily forget that it is the Yuletide season and the traditional time of festive celebrations heralding the birth of the Christ child.

Not so, however, for Ambassador Josef Beck of the Federal Republic of Germany and his very charming wife, Gudrun. The couple, who arrived in Kingston in mid-year, have hit full stride in their diplomatic duties since their arrival, and have proven no social slouch either, as they have not only established themselves as a social tour de force, they have demonstrated that they are at ease with matters cultural, and with a great appreciation for the arts, especially fab music.

And so it was no surprise they invited a shortlist of friends and colleagues to their upper St Andrew residence in Jacks Hill two Thursdays ago for 'An Evening of Christmas carols'. Dears, it was exactly what the social scene needed, best as it has been in recent weeks with a plethora of political and pseudo-political activities! Now, the official residence of the German ambassador is fab, as it is very stately, boasting beautiful gardens, rolling lawns and all-round lovely grounds.

Dears, it rained cats and dogs for most of that afternoon, and in a city where even light rains put a damper on social outings, the couple did confess to experiencing a few anxious moments as the evening wore on, and the rains continued nearer to the appointed time for their guests to arrive. Alas, the clouds stayed and held, and guests poured out to join in the evening of musical celebration. And with flowing cocktails, sorrel included, as well as a number of German beers and other libations, plus the requisite cosmopolitan bar, y'all know we are talking an evening of relaxed elegance here, punctuated by fine society and Yuletide cheers!

The evening began with a cocktail prelude, and then segued into a concert-style performance that saw an assemblage of some of the city's finest musicians, with Rosina Christina Moder 'Dirigent' and lead flautist; vocal quartet Kimiela Issacs, Terri Johnson-McLean, Symone Thomas and Herbert Edmundoe McLean; vocalist Roual Cousley; Darron Andrews on violin; Reajhaun Baptiste on steel drum; Peter Ashbourne on piano and Shawn Richards on guitar; the recorder quartet of Vered Eyal-Saldinger, Ulla Wykoff, Yoko Yamaguchi and Moder; taking the stage. Guests were treated to an evening of fabulous music and nothing but!

Luvs, the evening of carols began with Ambassador Beck extending welcome to both his guests and performers, and saw the performers giving a fab repertoire of carols in English, German and Jamaican, performing such favourites as Deck The Halls, Mary's Boy Child, Joy To The World, Oh Christmas Tree, Littler Drummer Boy; Oh Du Froehiliche, Oh Tannenbaum, Stille Nacht, Ihr Kinderlein Kommet; Di Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, Christmas JA, and Let The Christmas Ketch You In A Good Mood, to the delight of those guesting. But dears, for this here scribe, the musical treat was the instrumental duet by Baptiste Andrews. My dears, we are talking musical heaven here and nothing but! And, frankly speaking, it was indeed an evening of superlatives as the musicians and singers were the embodiment of musical esoterica!

Words of thanks from the host signalled the end of the musical presentation, and huns, the evening that began on a high, was to continue in its mellifluous vein as the post-performance supper prepared by chef extraordinaire Susan Couch, hit all the right culinary notes. The cosmopolitan fare, featuring some traditional German fare and Caribbean and cultural mix, made for a simple fab finale! But the finale was long in coming as there was a post-performance/supper reception that was as charming as ever and made for a fabulous outing!

Among those guesting included deputy head of mission at the German Embassy, Michael Kroener and his wife, Iris; acting head of the European Union, Helen Jenkinson and husband John Jenkinson; French Ambassador Marc Olivier Gendry and his wife, Marie France Gendry; Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño and her husband, Alex Crowther; Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice; the esteemed Christopher Bovell; the charming Dr Olivia McDonald; Dr Dhiru and Dr Laura Tanna; the elegant Nicola Croswell-Mair; cellist Steven Woodham; the charming Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Uwe Kumst; Richard Chen and his fab wife, Lisa Lakan-Chen; Simon Bowden and the fab Christina Benjamin; Emile Findley; Santa Dziallas; Gary and Petra Richardson; Gilles and Tatjana Aubrac; Sven Voelk and his wife Tracy Miller Voelk; Maria Carta; Rosina Huber-Ueker; Nishan Nicola Meyer; plus a number of presentation, and huns, the evening that began on a high, was to continue in its mellifluous vein as the post-performance supper prepared by chef extraordinaire Susan Couch, hit all the right culinary notes. The cosmopolitan fare, featuring some traditional German fare and Caribbean and cultural mix, made for a simple fab finale! But the finale was long in coming as there was a post-performance/supper reception that was as charming as ever and made for a fabulous outing!

Among those guesting included deputy head of mission at the German Embassy, Michael Kroener and his wife, Iris; acting head of the European Union, Helen Jenkinson and husband John Jenkinson; French Ambassador Marc Olivier Gendry and his wife, Marie France Gendry; Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño and her husband, Alex Crowther; Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice; the esteemed Christopher Bovell; the charming Dr Olivia McDonald; Dr Dhiru and Dr Laura Tanna; the elegant Nicola Croswell-Mair; cellist Steven Woodham; the charming Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Uwe Kumst; Richard Chen and his fab wife, Lisa Lakan-Chen; Simon Bowden and the fab Christina Benjamin; Emile Findley; Santa Dziallas; Gary and Petra Richardson; Gilles and Tatjana Aubrac; Sven Voelk and his wife Tracy Miller Voelk; Maria Carta; Rosina Huber-Ueker; Nishan Nicola Meyer; plus a number of others.