Bach Christmas Oratorio: Bristol Choral Society with Mark Padmore December 17, 2011

Bach’s Nativity-to-Epiphany Christmas Oratorio must rank as one of the most exuberant Christmas presents ever unwrapped - a sacred seasonal stocking stuffed with spine-tingling choruses, heartfelt arias and bewitching story-telling - topped and tailed by some of the most jubilant music Bach was to pen. This performance will feature parts 1, 2, 3 & 6 (sung in German).

Bristol Choral Society ('Magnificent...a really beautiful, well-blended sound' - Sir Charles Mackerras), under conductor Adrian Partington will be joined by a quartet of accomplished soloists - soprano Helen-Jane Howells ('Magnificent'), bass Ashley Riches ('Commanding') and, after their B minor Mass with us in 2008, returning alongside Sebastian Field (‘Ravishing’ The Independent), the role of the Evangelist is sung by one of the greatest Evangelists of our time, the incomparable Mark Padmore. ‘Padmore’s great gift ... is to sing from the soul’ says The Evening Standard; ‘Mark Padmore is just about the finest Bach tenor in the business’ (Sunday Telegraph).

There will be a retiring collection for the Lord Mayor's Christmas Appeal for children.