CIRENCESTER Choral Society will perform one of the best loved works of the festive season, J S Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, at its December concert at Cirencester Parish Church on Saturday, December 8 at 7.30pm.

First heard in Leipzig in 1734/35, it will be sung in English using the recent translation by the renowned international tenor and Bach scholar Neil Jenkins.

The Oratorio, comprising six cantata movements (of which numbers I,II,III and VI will be performed), tells the Christmas Story from the birth of Jesus through to the presentation of gifts by the Three Kings. Each movement employs recitative, arias, choruses and chorales accompanied by virtuoso instrumental writing.

The use of period instruments by Warwick Cole’s Corelli Orchestra will add extra authenticity and the Society has engaged four well-known professional soloists from our region – Hannah Davey, Juliet Curnow, Nick Drew and Nicholas Perfect – all of whom have considerable experience in singing Bach’s great choral works.

The concert will be conducted by the Society’s Musical Director Carleton Etherington.

Tickets £15 (Student £6, Child £3) will be available from early November from the Visitor Information Centre (Corinium Museum) (01285 654180) or Society members.