SACRED MUSIC Birnau - Mendelssohn: *Paulus*, Op. 36

**SPIRITUAL MUSIC BIRNAU** **Paulus op. 36** Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) As a further highlight and conclusion to the anniversary year, the Birnauer Kantorei choir will perform the large-scale oratorio about the life and work of the Apostle Paul, which Mendelssohn Bartholdy premiered in 1836. In varied scenes, sometimes lyrical, sometimes dramatic, it tells of Saul's persecution of Christians with the martyrdom of Stephen, of the Damascus experience and conversion to Paul, of missionary work among Jews and Gentiles, and of his last journey to Rome. Romantically harmonized chorales, powerful but also sensually flowing choral numbers, and deeply felt arias create one of the greatest oratorios in music history. **BIRNAUER KANTOREI** Thomas Gropper, musical director Claudia Reinhard SOPRANO Christian Rathgeber TENOR Matthias Horn BASS Lake Constance Philharmonic Orchestra