Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the sound of angelic voices. The renowned singers and instrumentalists of Armonico Consort return to Malvern on Friday, December 21 for a special concert for the festive season, led by music director Christopher Monks.

The Advent of Christmas features Bach’s Advent Cantata Wachet auf and the French baroque splendour of Charpentier’s joyous and witty Messe de Minuit pour Noël, his Midnight Mass. The singers are accompanied by Armonico Consort’s Baroque Orchestra, playing on instruments of the period to transport the audience back in time.

The concert also includes Bach’s sparkling Brandenburg Concerto No 4, full of the composer’s brilliant and highly complicated string writing and originally scored also for two ‘Flauti d’echo’, an unusual type of recorder.

Wachet auf (Sleepers Wake) is one of Bach’s most popular cantatas, beloved for its serene beauty. It includes one of his best-known melodies which has inspired composers and artists and featured in the Lloyds Bank TV advert.

Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël contains some of his most effervescent and engaging choral writing. Christopher Monks, artistic director of Armonico Consort, says, “I used to sing this piece every year as a boy and it was one of my highlights of the year. It’s only recently I discovered that the reason it is packed full of great melodies is that each movement is based on one or more French carols – it is simply wonderful! As a Christmas treat, we’re also going to be performing the mega 21-part In dulci jubilo by Praetorius at the end – a Christmas present from us as a thank you to our Malvern audiences for such incredible support throughout 2018!”

The Advent of Christmas is at Malvern Theatres on Friday, December 21 at 7.30pm. To book, call the box office on 01684 892277 or visit malvern-theatres.co.uk