Christoph Graupner was one of the most important composers in Germany during his lifetime. In the competition for the position of Leipzig's Thomaskantor, he was second only to Telemann and ahead of Bach.

However, his employer, Landgrave Ernst Ludwig, did not let him go so he remained as court kapellmeister in Darmstadt and in the end held the position for over 50 years! Time enough to create an enormous oeuvre, at the centre of which are over 1400 cantatas.

Countertenor Franz Vitzthum and tenor Georg Poplutz have selected solo arias and duets for their voices from this fund, focusing on cantatas for Easter and the Easter season.

These cantatas radiate great confidence and hope, which Graupner's translates into his very modern and forward-looking galant style.

The Main Baroque Orchestra complements the vocal programme with an overture in C minor and a concerto for two violins.