On 21 December 2025, after a long break, the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne once again presented Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall – a musical highlight traditionally associated with the Advent and Christmas season. Under the baton of Jonathan Cohen and with outstanding soloists such as Anna-Lena Elbert, Anna Lucia Richter, Linard Vrielink and James Atkinson, as well as the Bach-Verein Köln, visitors enjoyed a festive performance full of festive choirs, lyrical arias and narrative recitatives.
A special focus of the concert was its charitable nature: the Gürzenich Orchestra is supporting CASA HOGAR Deutschland e.V. with a portion of the ticket proceeds (€10 per ticket sold). This non-profit organisation works on behalf of girls, women and marginalised groups in the Chocó region of Colombia. Projects such as educational scholarships, shelters and training and further education opportunities help young people to improve their living conditions in the long term and to create opportunities for a self-determined future. Anna Lucia Richter, herself a cultural ambassador for CASA HOGAR Deutschland e.V., also performed as a soloist at the concert, combining musical excellence with social commitment.
The exact amount of donations collected through the concert will be published shortly to make the successful support of CASA HOGAR Deutschland e.V. transparent.
