Holiday Choral Wrap 2: In Mulieribus and The Ensemble, Alternative Christmas music

England and Christmas go together like the holly and the ivy, at least in the American imagination. On the wet side of the Cascades, both plants spread like the proliferation of Dickens and Handel this time of year. Such worthies have their place, but In Mulieribus’ program of songs and carols from medieval and contemporary England, “Nowell Syng We” at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church just before Christmas, was a blessed relief – a joyous and beautifully presented alternative view down the centuries towards the roots of our musical traditions.