A rare opportunity to attend a performance of The Apostles, an oratorio composed by Elgar in 1903, soon after his more widely known The Dream of Gerontius. Intended as the first part of a trilogy, The Apostles was followed by The Kingdom in 1906: the final part, The Last Judgement was never written.

The Apostles calls for a double chorus, six soloists and a large symphony orchestra, complete with a big percussion section and a shofar (an ancient Hebrew wind instrument, made out of the horn of a ram). For this performance East Oxford Community Choir are joined by The Oxford Sinfonia, one of Oxford’s most renowned amateur orchestras.

The central roles of Judas and Mary Magdalene will be sung by David Crown (bass) and Katherine Cooper (contralto). James Longstaffe conducts the East Oxford Community Choir, tackling its first large choral work since Vaughan Williams's A Sea Symphony in December 2022.

As Elgar's friend August Jaeger wrote in 1903, the music conveys a message of beauty and peace in these days of unprecedented stress and complexity.

Wheelchair Spaces

If you require a wheelchair space for this event, please call 01865 305 305 or email [email protected] for further assistance.