Adventskonzert des Celler Kammerorchester

The Celle Chamber Orchestra’s 2026 Advent concert will be dedicated to Duchess Sophie Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg, the 300th anniversary of whose death falls this year.
To mark this occasion, the Celle Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Christoph Stelljes, will perform music from that era, with a focus on two compositions: First, dances from the opera “La Lotta d’Hercole con Acheloo” by Agostino Steffani; second, dances by Jean-Baptiste Farinel. Both were active at the Hanover court during Sophie Dorothea’s time. Their pieces are typical examples of the now almost forgotten French Baroque style, which thrives on its elegance and varied playfulness. Johann Sebastian Bach was staying at Celle Castle at that time and would have come to know and appreciate such dances there. Thus, his orchestral suite in C major embodies much of the spirit of French music and performance style. Frederick II, Sophie Dorothea’s grandson, was also inspired by this music, as reflected in his Symphony in G major.
The music is complemented and framed by Georg Höxtermann, who will recite texts about and letters from Sophie Dorothea.
The concert is organized in collaboration with the Residenzmuseum at Celle Castle and generously supported by the Stiftergemeinschaft der Sparkasse Celle•Gifhorn•Wolfsburg.