Christoph Genz

J. S. Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Bach H-Moll Messe

Ruth Ziesak, soprano ; Anna Larsson, contralto ; Christoph Genz, tenor ; Dietrich Henschel, bass ; GewandhausKammerchor ; Gewandhausorchester Leipzig ; Herbert Blomstedt, conductor. Recorded in performance May 8, 2005, St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, during the 2005 Bachfest Leipzig. Special features include: Bach and his B minor Mass, an introduction by Herbert Blomstedt (21 min.)

The special aspect of the opera Alceste is its designation as the "first opera in the German language." The ancient drama about Alceste was written in the form of a play for theater by the Enlightenment playwright Christoph Marlin Wieland and set to music by the acclaimed late-18th-century composer Anton Schweitzer. This performance of the newly edited opera based on the historic play was begging to be captured on DVD. The demanding singing parts are delivered in brilliant manner by the four soloists, ably accompanied by Concerto Koln, one of the most renowned early music ensembles.