Easter Oratorio

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Wed 27 Mar, 7pm
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Classical music
From £15
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A man in a black shirt sitting in front of a piano
Jen Owens

Olivier Award-winner Peter Whelan directs this Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performance of Bach’s joyous, breathtaking Easter Oratorio.

Composed in 1725, the piece is an extended cantata that displays Bach’s consummate skill as a storyteller.

After a boisterous opening, it pitches listeners into the drama of the disciples – represented by the quartet of soloists – with heartfelt arias for the two Marys and Peter reflecting on their fears and hopes.

The two other works on this evening’s programme, ‘Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen’ (Rejoice, You Hearts) and ‘Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden’ (Stay with us, for Evening Falls) were both composed for performance on the Monday after Easter.

Peter Whelan is one of the outstanding new generation exponents of historical performance and has been described as a director of ‘rich insight, style and charisma’ (The Guardian).

In demand across Europe and North America, he is the artistic director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra and won an Olivier Award in 2022 for ‘outstanding achievement in opera’ for the Royal Opera/Irish National Opera production Bajazet.

The soloists for this concert feature the members of the latest cohort of the OAE’s Rising Stars of the Enlightenment scheme for singers.

Performers
  • Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
  • Peter Whelan director
  • Miriam Allan soprano *
  • Rebecca Leggett mezzo-soprano
  • Ruairi Bowen tenor
  • Malachy Frame baritone
  • Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Repertoire
  • Bach: Cantata No.66 `Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen'; Cantata No.6 `Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden'
  • Interval
  • Bach: Easter Oratorio, BWV.249

Need to know

Age recommendation

For ages 7+

Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 6pm. Pre-concert talk: Peter Whelan in conversation with Hannah French. Admission free.

* Please note change of performer from previously advertised

Dates & times

Wed 27 Mar, 7pm
Approximate run time: 2 hours 5 mins.
Run times may vary by up to 20 minutes as they can be affected by last-minute programme changes, intervals and encores.

Price

  • Standard entryFrom £15*
  • Concessions25%**


* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.

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** Limited availability. Read about concessions.

Tickets can only be sold through the Southbank Centre and our authorised agents, and can't be resold. You can return your tickets to the Southbank Centre for a credit voucher up to 48 hours before the event. Tickets resold on any third-party platforms will become invalid.

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Multi-buy discount

Classical Music: Autumn/Winter 2023/24

As part of our classical music multi-buy offer, book multiple Autumn/Winter 2023/24 concerts in the same transaction to receive a discount:

  • 3 – 4 events: 10% discount
  • 5 – 7 events: 15% discount
  • 8 – 10 events: 20% discount
  • 11 – 14 events: 25% discount
  • 15+ events: 30% discount

Discounts apply to selected events, September 2023 – January 24 inclusive. Offer can't be combined with the Spring/Summer 2023 multi-buy.

See all events in our Autumn/Winter multi-buy offer

Venue

Queen Elizabeth Hall

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An accessible toilet is located in the foyer.

A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1 Royal Festival Hall next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet.

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