So much Christmas music, even serious music, suffers from over production, and an esthetic that is infused with maudlin tones.

Cantique de noel (O Holy Night) makes a good test of this. Lots of videos on Youtube, by all the top singers (opera and otherwise)… and nearly all of them suffer from attempting to be too good.

To me, the effective singer doesn’t need gimmicks. Strip away all the production… and just be left with the singer. If they can cause a response that is more than just nostalgia, then I propose they are on the way to be a truly great singer.

If the singer believes the song you can tell.