AVROTROS Christmas concert: L'enfance du Christ

Poignant simplicity

Religious Berlioz was not, but the rituals of the Catholic Church did stimulate his musical imagination. He left behind a whole series of sacred works including L'enfance du Christ: an exceptionally sensitive work about the formative years of Jesus Christ. For four years Berlioz tinkered with his oratorio, which is of a poignant simplicity and beauty.

Glossy design

Berlioz's Christmas oratorio now gets a glittering performance in the hands of the Radio Philharmonic and the Groot Omroepkoor. Beautiful roles are reserved for baritone Thomas Oliemans (Father) and the promising mezzo-soprano Maria Warenberg (Virgin Mary), artist in residence of AVROTROS. The Brit Edward Gardner, who previously performed Berlioz with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, is currently considered one of the most prominent Berlioz conductors.