I Fagiolini brings an animated cast of Christmas characters to life in foot-tapping music from Italy, Germany and Spain. A hypnotic Neapolitan ‘tarantula’ dance wards off Lucifer, while from Salamanca, a villancico for voices, strings and percussion brings the ‘the Devil down in flames!’ At the other end of the scale Bach’s ‘pizzicato’ paints Advent knocking on the door of Christ’s arrival, while Monteverdi’s much-loved Beatus Vir gives a taste of Christmas Vespers.

J. S. Bach Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 61
Monteverdi Beatus vir
Byrd Lullaby
Handel Pifa Symphony from Messiah
Cristofaro Caresana La Tarantella
Juan Francés de Iribarren Xacara de Navidad!

Rory Carver tenor

I Fagiolini
Brecon Baroque
Rachel Podger violin
Robert Hollingworth director