To truly know the experience the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it is best to hear a live concert. Ron Jarrett, the president of the Choir recently stated, “We go on tour because there is nothing like listening to the Choir in person.”

Seeing as how the Choir travels every other year to select cities, many people will unfortunately never get to hear them sing live. However, this video of the Choir performing “Unfold, Ye Portals” from "The Redemption, a Sacred Trilogy" by Charles Gounod, is definitely the next best thing to experiencing it live.

The video was recorded live from Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA., during the 2018 Classic Coast Tour. The Costa Mesa concert was the first concert of seven West Coast tour stops, which will conclude in Seattle, Washington, on July 2.

On the title page of  “The Redemption,” Gounod inscribed “The Work of My Life.” The piece was written for the Birmingham Festival in 1882, and has since been performed around the world. Watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform “Unfold, Ye Portals.”

Unfold, Ye Portals (Lyrics)

Unfold, unfold, unfold,
Ye portals everlasting,
Unfold, unfold, unfold,
Ye portals everlasting,
With welcome to receive
Him ascending on high.
Behold the King of glory!
He mounts up thro’ the sky,
Back to heav’nly mansions hasting,
Unfold, unfold, unfold,
For lo! the King comes nigh!
But who is He, the King of glory!
He who death overcame, the Lord in battle mighty,
But who is He, the King of glory!
Of hosts He is the Lord; of angels and pow’rs;
The King of glory is the King of the saints.
Unfold, unfold, unfold,
Ye portals everlasting,
Unfold, unfold, unfold,
Ye portals everlasting,
With welcome to receive
Him ascending on high.
Behold the King of glory!
He mounts up thro’ the sky,
Back to heav’nly mansions hasting,
Unfold, unfold, unfold,
For lo! the King comes nigh!