Composed for the Christmas season of 1734, J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio is one of his most beloved works. During its initial performances in Leipzig, the oratorio's six parts were presented as separate performances over the various days of the Christmas season. However, musical features and notations suggest that the work was intended to be viewed as a unified whole. In the joint concert by VocalEspoo and the Urkuyö & Aaria Festival, the first three cantatas of the Christmas Oratorio will be performed, focusing on the themes of the birth of Jesus, the annunciation to the shepherds, and the visit of the shepherds to the Christ child.

The soloists for the Christmas Oratorio are soprano Iida Antola, mezzo-soprano Elli Vallinoja, tenor Tuomas Katajala, and bass Jussi Merikanto. The Espoo Baroque Orchestra will accompany them, with the chorus sung by Tatu Erkkilä's Taurus Consort. The work will be conducted by Tatu Erkkilä.

In collaboration with Organ Night & Aria Festival

Tickets: €15–35 + service fees (starting from €1.50 per order at www.lippu.fi)