AN EPIC musical tale of biblical drama is coming to a Whitefield church.

Bury Choral Society are set to bring to life Handel's famed oratorio Judas Maccabaeus at All Saints Church, Stand.

The performance will be led by conductor Juan Ortuno and features soloists soprano Sally Woan, alto Laura Wood, tenor Joseph Buckmaster and bass Peter Lidbetter, alongside Bury Choral Society and Bury Camerata.

Music will be performed by organist Elin Rees and harpsichordist Audrey Peach.

Written by the famous Anglo-German baroque composer George Frederick Handel to compliment the Duke of Cumberland's triumph at the Battle of Culloden, Judas Maccabaeus tells the story of persecuted Jews in Seleucid occupied Judea.

Forced to worship the god Zeus by their pagan Hellenic oppressors, in a bid to destroy Judaism, a band of Jews led by the elderly priest Mattathias and the eponymous hero enter a fight for their faith.

The concert will take place from 7.30pm on May 18.

For more information and for tickets priced £12, or £6 for students, visit www.burychoral.org, Bury Information Centre at The Fusilier Museum, or call 0161 7611544.

Tickets will also be available on the door.