Surgite pastores – in this Bible passage taken from the Gospel according to Luke the proclamation of the Angel of Annunciation to the shepherds in the field is enacted. He calls them together to proclaim the Good News of Christ’s Birth. The joy of the Christmas message blazes away in Francesco Bianciardi’s setting in an interwoven progression of melismas before the choir of angels joins in in multi-part halleluiah calls. The motet of this Italian composer, who worked as chapel-master in Siena, is a highlight in every Christmas program.