Bach's Christmas Oratorio

A performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is a transformative experience. Sublime choral and orchestral magic culminate in a feast for the senses. Bach wrote his Christmas cantatas to be performed on six different days. Here, you will immerse yourself in his masterpiece over one night.

In partnership with Pinchgut Opera, led by Artistic Director Erin Helyard, the Australian Chamber Orchestra presents a blockbuster performance of Bach’s glorious oratorio, featuring exultant choral passages, radiant soloists and magnificent orchestral forces. Bach canvases the joy and wonder of the nativity story as Mary contemplates motherhood, the angels appear in triumphant glory before the shepherds and wise men bow before a tiny babe.

Tognetti’s affinity for Bach is famous and the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s last presentation of this work, nearly a decade ago, blew critics and audiences away. With only three performances, book early to secure your seat to the ultimate event of the festive season.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra is one of the most acclaimed chamber orchestras in the world. Led by their pioneering Artistic Director Richard Tognetti, the Orchestra is defined by its exceptional virtuosity and an irrepressible sense of adventure and curiosity.

This performance is available as a part of an Australian Chamber Orchestra 2026 Subscription .

Program

Johann Sebastian Bach

Christmas Oratorio, BWV428

Presented in collaboration with The Song Company

Artists

Richard Tognetti

Director & Violin

Erin Helyard

Artistic Director Pinchgut Opera & Harpsichord

Australian Chamber Orchestra

Information for Families

This concert is recommended for children ages eight and above, or for younger children who can happily sit through a two-hour concert. For babies or young children who would find this challenging (understandably!) the ACO have full-length concerts available on their YouTube channel , or for those in Sydney, a great range of family-friendly shows at ACO On The Pier specifically created to engage, educate and delight younger children.