It seemed like just another day at the Cologne-Bonn Airport in Germany, but this year German broadcaster WDR, which is based nearby, wanted to give a gift to some of the holiday travelers.

They assembled an array of international opera stars and planted them in the crowd.

As soon as one group finished a performance, another group would materialize from the crowd singing a different Christmas carol.  Passengers can be seen moved to smiles and tears in equal measure at the voices rise above the sound of suitcase wheels and flight announcements.

The entire cast of voices join in for the grand finale, Handel's "Hallelujah Medley."  As the final note hung in the air, the singers faded back into the crowd and disappeared.

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Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff