Bach-Circle: Christmas Oratorio’s and Contemporary Female Voices

Bach-Circle: Christmas Oratorio’s and Contemporary Female Voices

Sat., December 28, 2024 at 4 pm Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT
Sun., December 29, 2024 at 4 pm Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA

Johann Sebastian Bach’s fifth cantata Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen (Let honor be sung to you, O God) of his Christmas Oratorio is at the center of this Baroque Holiday program.

The other composers in Bach’s circle include his mentor Dietrich Buxtehude, who wrote innovative and rhapsodic vocal music. His and Johann Schelle’s Advent cantatas lead into some of the most festive Baroque Christmas cantatas for chorus, soloists and orchestra by Christoph Graupner (his Magnificat), Jeremias du Grain, and Philip Erlebach. In contrast to this stand intimate unaccompanied choral works by the contemporary female composers Emily Drum, and MaryAnne Muglia (U.S.), and Christine Donkin (Canada).

Crescendo Chorus, Nicholas Tamagna, countertenor, Douglas Williams, bass, and Crescendo Period Instrument Orchestra, led by Christine Gevert

Support for these concerts has been provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature, and NBT Bank. We also thank WMNR Radio for their ongoing support.