First performed at the Choir's 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Following the success of the Easter Oratorio, Advent Oratorio, The Biblical Hope of the Coming of God, is another collaboration between Tom Wright and Paul Spicer. It is a setting of the Advent story with John the Baptist central to the action, warning that a place in the heavenly kingdom must be earned. It has a similar pattern of choruses, arias, recitatives, chorales which are newly composed hymns for choir only, and big Advent hymns in new arrangements for the audience to sing.

Lasting about an hour, it is shorter in duration than the Easter Oratorio so that, as the composer says, “It is a more practical proposition to choral societies looking for a new piece which fills half the programme. It means that a popular work can be put alongside to help fill the seats!”

Written for SATB chorus, boys' choir (or girls/sopranos), 3 soloists (soprano, tenor, baritone) and orchestra with the recommendation that roles of Jesus (bass) and the Voice of God (bass) should be taken by two suitable members of the choir.

Find more information about Paul Spicer on his website.

A sample of the Advent Oratorio Manuscript