Oxford Philharmonic
SIR ANTONIO PAPPANO
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford
Friday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 980980 or www.oxfordphil.com
If you’re looking for a break from all the festive music, this Russian-themed programme should fit the bill – and with Royal Opera House music director Sir Antonio Pappano making his Oxford debut, this should be a particularly special treat. The programme includes Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A minor, Op.82, with soloist Carmine Laut, bookended by Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36.
Charivari Agreable
CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT: DORMI, JESU!
Exeter College Chapel
Saturday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com
Tickets are selling fast for this concert, so don’t delay! Oxford’s award-winning early music ensemble returns with its traditional concert of Christmas chants, motets, choral works and contemporary carols and songs, from Byrd, Praetorius and Handel to Paul McCartney. With Olwen Lintern-Smyth (soprano), Will Anderson (tenor), James Armitage (countertenor), Mike Hickman (bass) and the group’s founder, Kah-Ming Ng, directing from the chamber organ.
Cathedral Singers of Christ Church
THE PATH TO BETHLEHEM
Christ Church Cathedral
Saturday, 8pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com
James Morley-Potter directs a traditional carol concert tracing the journey to Bethlehem from the Old Testament prophets to the angels, shepherds and kings. Enjoy music by Mendelssohn, Howells, Rutter and more, as well as the opportunity to join in with familiar Christmas carols. With organist David Bannister.
Oxford Bach Choir
CAROLS FOR ALL
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford
Saturday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 980220 or www.oxfordbachchoir.org
This unmissable event, a long-established OBC tradition, is always a jolly affair, with lots of Christmas favourites, opportunities for audience participation and youngsters from the Oxfordshire County Music Service stealing the show with their talent, energy and enthusiasm. If you haven’t yet succumbed to the festive spirit, this should do the trick.
Cantandum/Bampton Classical Players
HANDEL: MESSIAH
St Mary’s Church, Bampton
Saturday, 7pm
Tickets: www.bamptonopera.org
Gilly French – one of the co-founders of Bampton Classical Opera – conducts London chamber choir Cantandum and the Bampton Classical Players in Handel’s iconic oratorio, set against the backdrop of Bampton’s lovely 12th century church.
Soloists are Lisa Howarth (soprano), Serena Kay (mezzo), David de Winter (tenor) and Sam Young (baritone).
City of Oxford Orchestra
CHRISTMAS CONCERTO BY CANDLELIGHT
Exeter College Chapel
Sunday, 5pm & 8pm
Tickets: 01865 744457
This magical candlelit concert features some lovely baroque classics including Vivaldi Winter, Handel Concerto Grosso, Pachelbel Canon, Cimarosa Oboe Concerto, Bach Air on the G String and Morricone Gabriel’s Oboe. With Roland Roberts (director/violin), Peter Adams (cello) and Tim Watts (oboe).
Oxford Coffee Concerts
ADDERBURY ENSEMBLE/VIV MCLEAN/CRAIG OGDEN
Holywell Music Room
Sunday, 11.15am
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com
The final Oxford Coffee Concert before Christmas features the Adderbury Ensemble teaming up with pianist Viv McLean and guitarist Craig Ogden in a programme that includes Saint-Saëns Septet in E flat major, op.65, Boccherini Guitar Quintet in D major and Vivaldi Guitar Concerto in D major. Directed by Martyn Jackson.
NICOLA LISLE
