TATTON Singers will be singing in Wilmslow this month – its first concert there for many years.

On Saturday, December 14 the choir joins forces with Tatton Sinfonia and four young soloists to present Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at the Wilmslow Leisure Centre.

The oratorio, one of Bach’s most joyous creations, tells the Christmas story, with words largely from the Gospels.

Originally the music was written to be sung on six separate occasions as part of the Christmas and new year church services.

Tatton Singers’ performance in English binds this into one continuous piece (with some movements omitted – Bach’s complete work would be too long for one evening).

The story unfolds through a series of choruses, recitatives, arias and chorales.

All the singers and the players need to display great virtuosity – not least the choir who open the work with their exuberant cry ‘Christians, be joyful’.

The choir, based in Knutsford, is taking the opportunity to explore a few more performance venues while its regular home, St John’s Church, undergoes major transformation.

Tickets priced at £10 (£9 concession) students £2.50 are available from choir members, by calling 01565 650641 or on the door at the night of the concert, 7.30pm start.