Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra – Christmas Oratorio

About Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra – Christmas Oratorio

Bach Christmas Oratorio: Cantatas 1, 2 & 3, BWV 248

Alexandra Lowe soprano

Helen Charlston mezzo-soprano

Sebastian Hill tenor

Matthew Brook bass

Oxford Philharmonic Choir

Michael Papadopoulos conductor

Johann Sebastian Bach was used to writing music for every celebration in the church’s calendar, but to mark Christmas in 1734, he surpassed even himself.

Bach conceived an elaborate set of cantatas that would form a journey in music, from the birth of Christ to the adoration of the infant Jesus by the Magi.

Bach’s Christmas Oratorio moves from frolicking trumpets, drums and choirs to touching arias, tremendous choruses, operatic ensembles and orchestral interludes.

‘There is no more life-giving, joy-enhancing experience in Bach’s music than a great performance of the Christmas Oratorio’ wrote the composer’s biographer Sir Nicholas Kenyon, words that these performances will set out to prove emphatically.

Currently Kapellmeister at Vienna’s Volksoper, conductor Michael Papadopoulos joins the Orchestra with four esteemed vocal soloists and Oxford Philharmonic Choir.

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Tickets

Please see important booking information below.

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Booking information

Ticket prices:

Ful price: £15.00 – £50.00

Concessions: £5.00

Dates & times:

Tuesday 08 December 2026 at 7.00pm

Latecomers permitted at an appropriate pause in the music.

Running time:

2 hours including an interval

Age guidance: 

6+

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