25 Oct 2022
“To me Christmas without Bach is unthinkable. No other musician before or since has captured the wondrous essence of the Nativity, the miracle of the Virgin birth, and the coming of God’s light into the world coinciding with the turning of the sun at the winter solstice”. (John Eliot Gardiner)
This December, John Eliot Gardiner, the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists will perform J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio for the first time since 2008, with dates at Teatro alla Scala, Milan (3 December 2022: Parts 1-3), Chapelle Royale, Palace of Versailles (11 December 2022: Parts 1-6) and St Martin-in-the-Fields (13 December: Parts 1-3; 15 December: Parts 4-6).
They will be joined by a group of outstanding young soloists, including soprano Hilary Cronin, a regular performer with the Monteverdi Choir and winner of both First Prize and the Audience Prize at the 2021 London Handel Singing Competition.
The winner of the 2021 Kathleen Ferrier Award, countertenor, Hugh Cutting, will make his debut performance with the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras. Opera Today comments: ‘Cutting’s sound bloomed with astonishing relaxation, power and accuracy’.
Nick Pritchard is a long-standing collaborator of John Eliot Gardiner. Pritchard was praised by BBC Music Magazine for his performance with the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras as the Evangelist in Bach’s St John Passion (2021): ‘In the English tradition of light, lyrical tenors, Nick Pritchard is consummately involved and involving’.
Highly acclaimed opera singer, Frederick Long will be joining the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras for the first time. Seen and Heard International comments: ‘Frederick Long’s diction and sound were impeccable, his understanding of the terrain complete.’
Dingle Yandell is one of the Rising Stars for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and gathered praise for his first appearance with the Monteverdi Choir at last year’s BBC Proms.
This series of concerts marks the 1st Anniversary of the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras’ London residency at St Martins-in-the-Field and will pave the way to two significant years for our organisation: John Eliot Gardiner’s 80th Birthday in 2023 and the Monteverdi Choir’s 60th Anniversary in 2024.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
