Cäcilien-Verein Frankfurt e.V.

London at the end of the 17th century. An association of musicians, patrons and music lovers decided to celebrate the feast day of St. Cecilia - the patron saint of church music - with solemn church services, magnificent concerts and specially written works. The best poets and composers of the time are commissioned to praise the power of music as a source of divine harmony in elaborate odes. The seven-verse poem "Alexander's Feast" by John Dryden from 1692, which was set to music a good half century later by none other than George Frideric Handel, is very much in this tradition. The work was composed in just a few weeks and Handel demonstrates his mastery as a composer in the most impressive way. The premiere took place on February 19, 1736 at Covent Garden Theatre in front of an audience of 1,300. Numerous re-performances followed and the oratorio soon became one of the composer's most popular works. The Cäcilienchor also performed "Das Alexanderfest" in the early years of its rich history - however, more than 150 years have passed since the last performance ...

The Frankfurt St. Cecilia Choir performs Handel's "Alexander's Feast or The Power of Musick" as an "Ode, dedicated to St. Cecilia" in the version of the first performance from 1736 (HWV 75) with the participation of numerous soloists. It is also the inaugural concert of the new artistic director Christian Rohrbach. The conductor, countertenor and lied pianist focuses his work on lively, inspired interpretations of a wide range of genres and styles - always based on a thorough examination of the historical sources. He has been artistic director of the long-established Cäcilienchor Frankfurt since the beginning of 2025.

Photo: Cäcilien-Verein Frankfurt e.V.

5.4., 8 p.m.

Dreikönigskirche, Dreikönigsstr. 32, Frankfurt

2for1: price category 2 = 36 €, price category 3 = 28 €

5.4., 19-19.30, box office (only cash payment possible)