Handel Concert Lambertichor — Israel in Egypt
Concert performance of George Frideric Handel's oratorio Israel in Egypt with the Lambertichor Oldenburg in the Lambertikirche
About Israel in Egypt — Lambertichor
The Handel concert by Lambertichor Oldenburg will bring one of the most monumental oratorios of Baroque music to the concert stage of the Lambertikirche on June 21, 2026: Israel in Egypt by George Frideric Handel. Premiered in London in 1739, the work is considered a highlight of 18th-century English choral literature and places special demands on performers with its grand double-choir movements.
The Lambertichor Oldenburg, one of Lower Saxony's most distinguished concert choirs, interprets the work together with soloists and orchestra. The performance takes place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Lambertikirche — a concert that appeals to both lovers of Baroque music and the general audience for classical choral literature.
Israel in Egypt — Handel's Double-Choir Oratorio
Israel in Egypt is one of Handel's most extraordinary works: Unlike most of his oratorios, it largely dispenses with solo recitatives and arias, relying almost entirely on the choir — mostly as an eight-part double choir. The depiction of the biblical story of the Exodus from Egypt with the ten plagues, the passage through the Red Sea, and Moses's Song of Triumph gives Handel the opportunity for spectacular musical imagery: the hailstorm, the swarms of locusts, the crashing waves of the Red Sea become sound.
Lambertichor Oldenburg
The Lambertichor is one of Lower Saxony's most traditional concert choirs. With regular performances of major oratorios — Bach Passions, Handel works, Mendelssohn oratorios — it has earned a reputation as a reliable interpreter of central choral literature. The performance of Israel in Egypt in 2026 fits into this tradition.
Lambertikirche as a Concert Venue
With its acoustics, the Lambertikirche offers the ideal setting for performances of Baroque choral music. The spatial arrangement of the double choir can be particularly well realized in the church space — a prerequisite for the full effect of the antiphonal choral movements with which Handel works.
Church Music St. Lamberti in the Concert Year
The Handel concert is part of the concert year of Kirchenmusik St. Lamberti, which, under the umbrella of the St. Lamberti parish, offers a rich program of organ concerts, choir concerts, and vespers. The complete program will be published on lamberti-kirchenmusik.de.
Israel in Egypt — Lambertichor — edition 2026
On Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Lambertichor Oldenburg will perform George Frideric Handel's oratorio Israel in Egypt in the Lambertikirche. Together with soloists and orchestra, the choir presents one of the most monumental works of English Baroque music — an oratorio that, due to its double-choir structure and musical imagery, is one of the most challenging tasks in choral literature.
The performance is one of the highlights of the 2026 concert year of Kirchenmusik St. Lamberti.
Work and Performance
Israel in Egypt HWV 54 was premiered in London in 1739. It depicts in two parts the biblical story of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt. Unlike most Handel oratorios, the solo element does not dominate here; instead, the choir takes center stage — mostly in an eight-part double-choir formation. This structure makes Israel in Egypt a work that demands an exceptionally committed choral ensemble.
Solo Parts
Solo parts for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass complement the choral action. The soloists will be announced with the performance program. The orchestra plays in baroque instrumentation with strings, oboes, trumpets, timpani, and continuo.
Programme Israel in Egypt — Lambertichor 2026
Concert Evening
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven benchmarks of previous years:
- 6:00 PM — Start in the Lambertikirche
- First part: Lament of Israel and the Ten Plagues of Egypt
- Intermission
- Second part: Exodus, Passage through the Red Sea, and Moses's Song of Triumph
- Duration approximately 2 hours, including intermission
Performers
- Lambertichor Oldenburg
- Soloists (to be announced with the program)
- Orchestra in baroque instrumentation
- Musical Direction: Kantor of Lambertikirche
Work Notes
Israel in Egypt is considered one of Handel's most pictorial works. The musical depiction of the plagues — hail, frogs, locusts, darkness — is regarded as a milestone of musical illustration in the Baroque era. The concluding chorus Sing ye to the Lord is one of the most famous final choruses in oratorio literature.
Highlights Israel in Egypt — Lambertichor 2026
- Handel: Israel in Egypt — complete performance
- Double-choir structure of the Lambertichor Oldenburg
- Soloists and orchestra in baroque instrumentation
- Lambertikirche — June 21, 2026, 6:00 PM
Prices Israel in Egypt — Lambertichor 2026
Ticket prices will be published with the program announcement. Advance sales online via lamberti-kirchenmusik.de.
Practical information — Israel in Egypt — Lambertichor
Date 2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 6:00 PM.
Venue
Lambertikirche Oldenburg, Marktplatz, 26122 Oldenburg.
Tickets
Advance sales via lamberti-kirchenmusik.de and the usual advance ticket offices in Oldenburg. Remaining tickets at the box office subject to availability.
Getting There
Oldenburg Main Station approx. 10 minutes on foot. By car: Parking garages in the city center.
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