The Endler Concert Series is proud to present J. S. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” (Weihnachts-Oratorium, BWV 248) on Sunday 8 October 2017 at 16h30 in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch. Music Director Martin Berger conducts the Stellenbosch University Camerata with the choir Schola Cantorum, and a quartet of acclaimed soloists.

One of the most celebratory works in Bach’s entire output, this concert will present the first three of the six parts of the “Christmas Oratorio” which relate the story of Christ’s birth. This masterpiece makes use of a diverse array of musical forms and instrumental textures incorporating a large group of wind instruments, including four oboes, three trumpets, two flutes, and a bassoon as well as strings. As with Bach’s two great settings of the Passion story, the “Christmas Oratorio” features an Evangelist who narrates the story along with vocal soloists and a choir who comment on the story, sing arias, and assume the parts of shepherds, wise men, and roles such as the Angel and King Herod.

Tenor, Nicholas Nicolaidis will perform the role of the Evangelist and will also sing the arias Bach allotted to tenor soloist. The other vocal soloists will be soprano, Lauren Dasappa, countertenor, Olusegun Soyemi, and bass, Luxolo Jule.

Be sure not to miss this extraordinary feast of young talent and exquisite choral music.