The Ottawa Bach Choir Welcomes the Season with Bach’s ‘Christmas Oratorio’

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, Ottawa’s JUNO award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) will open its 23rd season with a musical masterpiece that embodies the spirit of the festive season: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Weihnachts-Oratorium (Christmas Oratorio)—hosted at the beautifully resonant St. François d’Assise Church at 20 Fairmont Avenue.

The Christmas Oratorio, one of Bach’s crowning achievements, unfolds across six cantatas, each celebrating key events from Christmas to Epiphany. From the jubilant announcement of Christ’s birth to the reverence of the Magi, the work showcases Bach’s unparalleled ability to weave dramatic storytelling with exquisite musicality.

This year’s presentation promises to bring the composition to life with a blend of exceptional talent: the Theatre of Early Music baroque orchestra, founded by celebrated countertenor Daniel Taylor, and an all-star lineup of soloists including soprano Myriam Leblanc, tenor Charles Daniels, and baritone Geoffrey Sirett.

“Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is the epitome of the nativity story,” says Dr. Lisette Canton, founder and artistic director of the OBC. “It’s a sweeping narrative told through thrilling large-scale choruses, poignant Biblical recitatives, and beautifully harmonized arias. Each note is adorned with Bach’s brilliance, drawing listeners into a deeply moving musical journey. This season, we’re excited to bring this festive masterpiece to Ottawa with some of today’s leading musicians in Baroque performance.”

The Ottawa Bach Choir has been at the forefront of choral performance for over two decades, with Bach’s choral works forming the backbone of its repertoire. Founded in 2002 by Dr. Canton, the choir has gained an international reputation for its polished music performances spanning all historical periods.

Notably, the OBC became the first Canadian choir to perform at the prestigious Bachfest Leipzig in Germany—a remarkable accomplishment, as foreign ensembles are rarely invited to perform in the city where Bach worked from 1723 until his death in 1750. This triumph solidified the choir’s standing on the global stage and demonstrated its ability to bring Bach’s music to life with both authenticity and passion.

The performance of the Christmas Oratorio will take full advantage of the acoustics of St. François d’Assise Church, a venue celebrated for its architectural beauty and aural richness. With its period instruments, the Theatre of Early Music orchestra will lend an authentic Baroque soundscape to the evening.

Soprano Myriam Leblanc, a rising star on the Canadian opera and concert scene, and British tenor Charles Daniels, a veteran of Bach interpretations, will add layers of depth and nuance to this ambitious work. Daniel Taylor’s rich countertenor voice will resonate with historical fidelity and contemporary flair, and baritone Geoffrey Sirett’s powerful voice will add solemnity and magnificence to the occasion.

The Christmas Oratorio is more than a concert; it is a celebration of the season, a journey into the heart of Baroque splendour. Bach’s music transports listeners through a series of emotions: joy in the angelic proclamation of Christ’s birth, tenderness in the lullabies for the infant Jesus, and awe in the majestic chorales celebrating divine grace.

Tickets for this unforgettable performance start at $20, with reserved seating at $60. Children under 12 are welcome to attend free of charge, making this a wonderful opportunity for families to experience the magic of live choral music together.

Tickets and additional information are available at https://ottawabachchoir.ca or by calling 613-270-1015.

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness one of Bach’s greatest works performed by some of the finest artists in the world right here in Ottawa.