Music-lovers are in for a treat when some of the UK's best musicians present an evening of festive music from 17th century Germany next week.

Catherine Bott, a renowned soprano, will perform with students from Trinity College of Music in a programme of large-scale choral pieces. Bott enjoys a worldwide reputation as an interpreter of baroque vocal music. She has released more than 60 CDs and has performed extensively throughout the world.

Trinity College of Music has an equally dazzling reputation as one of the oldest conservatoires in Europe. It has produced a remarkable cross-section of leading artists from Sir John Barbirolli, Heather Harper, Amy Shuard and Margaret Price to Joe Loss, Mantivani, Cyril Stapleton and Henry Hall.

This will include Advent and Christmas motifs by Michael Praetorius, Altenberg and Samuel Scheidt and a performance of The Christmas Story by Schutz. These works are Germany's answer to the splendours of Gabrieli's Venice and are scored for an exciting and vibrant blend of voices and instruments.

The show will be conducted by Philip Thorby, who will also give a pre-concert talk on the history and context of the music.

Concert-goers may really make an evening of this festive event as pre-concert supper deals will be available at participating restaurants within Canary Wharf.

December 6, An Evening of Festive music, Cabot Hall, Cabot Place West, Canary Wharf, London E14, 7.45pm, £11/£7, 020 7418 2783/020 7316 4709.

November 26, 2001 15:00

Joan Gardner