HEREFORD Cathedral Choir, together with period-instrument orchestra Marches Baroque, will be performing J S Bach’s masterpiece Christmas Oratorio, in Hereford Cathedral on Saturday, January 30 at 7 pm,. The concert will also feature an international line-up of soloists, including soprano Lucy Bowen, countertenor William Towers, tenor Simon Wall and bass Matthew Brook.

The Christmas Oratorio was originally composed as six separate cantatas, which were first heard in 1734–5 at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, where Bach worked as Cantor. The opening cantata was performed on Christmas Day, and the last on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) and, remarkably, it was not performed again until 1857, more than 120 years later.

Geraint Bowen, director of music at the cathedral, said: "The Christmas Oratorio has become a regular feature of the music here, but, as with all Bach’s great works, it always remains wonderfully fresh and exciting.

"It is rare for the Christmas Oratorio to be performed in its entirety today, so it will be a real treat for the audience to hear the work from start to finish," he added.

Tickets are available from the Cathedral Shop (01432 374210), The Outback, Church Street, Hereford and at St John’s door on the night.