Picture nativity scenes by a great master, a Breughel or a Botticelli: landscapes filled with angels, people and animals; colour; movement; human touches and tiny incidental details all animated and elevated to a higher level by the mystery of the Holy Child at the heart of the scene. This is what Bach translates into music in the Christmas Oratorio – a lavish sequence of choruses and arias featuring wonderful solos for the instrumentalists. Outstanding soloists under the direction of one of the world’s finest Bach interpreters guarantee an exceptional evening.