A Christmas Oratorio to make a Graun man cry

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Well, the pun will: this enjoyable concert with the Bachchor Heidelberg last night, singing the Weihnachtsoratorio (Christmas Oratorio), or - to give it its full name - the Oratorium in Festum Nativitatis Christi from C.H. Graun, was simply a delight.

It's a charming piece dotted with not too challenging yet still interesting chorales and fugues for the choir, amongst the usual mix of arias and recitatives from the soloists telling and reflecting on the nativity story.

Our conductor for this concert was Jörg Halubek, whose website and photos make him look grander and more arrogant than he actually is.

All in all, a light, happy concert bringing good cheer, if at least temporarily, for those who had to drive out of a packed centre of Heidelberg.

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