From atmospheric candlelit carols to the joy and exuberance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, critically-acclaimed Warwick-based choir, Armonico Consort, is pulling out some Christmas crackers to entertain audiences across the region this December.

Currently celebrating its 25th anniversary season, the renowned choir and period instrument ensemble, under founder/director Christopher Monks, will perform Christmas music that's part of their DNA.

Making a joyful start to the festive season, the group performs Bach's Christmas Oratorio at Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa (1 December).

Christopher Monks said: "I discovered Bach's Christmas Oratorio in my 20s and was blown away by how it was impossible to listen to without a smile.

"Bach builds a work made of his own greatest hits, incorporating many moments of his earlier genius perfected around new but related texts."

The work combines some of Bach's most virtuosic trumpet writing, flamboyant orchestral music and intensely lyrical melodies.

Playing on instruments of the period, Armonico Consort brings a special insight into the sound world Bach would have known.

Later in the month Armonico sings Carols by Candlelight in Warwick (15 & 19 December, Collegiate Church of St Mary), and in Stratford-Upon-Avon (21 December, Holy Trinity Church) where they are joined by the Stratford Girls' Chamber Choir.

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This perennially sold-out event brings together traditional carols with modern classics and new commissions.

Mr Monks added: "When I created our Carols by Candlelight, I wanted to capture the warmth and intimacy of the carol services I grew up with: the comfort of familiar favourites, the excitement of discovering new music and, of course, an essential helping of Rutter."

Armonico Consort was founded in 2001 by Christopher Monks. Based in Warwick, the critically acclaimed choir, period instrument ensemble and music charity is especially known for its innovative concerts of rarely heard gems and new musical discoveries from the Renaissance and Baroque.

Its education programme, AC Academy, encompasses after-school choirs, a Scholars programme, and an in-school Choir Creations scheme that has established and nurtured over 300 choirs and choir leaders and gives children life-changing experiences of singing with the professionals in venues including the Royal Albert Hall.

Tickets can be purchased online here.