BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Classic music lovers, rejoice!
The 116th Bethlehem Bach Festival takes place on Fridays, May 10 and 17 and Saturdays, May 11 and 18 at the Zoellner Center for the Arts, Packer Memorial Church, Moravian University and Incarnation of our Lord Church.
The festival, which marks the finale of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem's 125th season, will also feature free performances at Zimmermann's Coffee House, plus special outdoor shows at Payrow Plaza (adjacent to City Hall, 10. E Church St.), on both weekends.
"Every concert on this program has some incredible highlights. It should be a joy to spend a full 24 or 36 hours with us, with two Brandenburg concertos, the Goldberg Variations, performed by our very own Charlotte Mattax Moersch, cantatas, motets, the Mass in B Minor, and Vincent Lauzer’s delightful recorder everywhere," Christopher Jackson, artistic director and conductor of the choir said.
The choir gave its first performances of Bach’s Mass in B Minor in 1900 and Christmas Oratorio in 1901.
The nearly 100 dedicated volunteer singers of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, performing with the Bach Festival Orchestra and distinguished soloists, have received international acclaim.
Programming includes 40 concerts and educational programs per year for an audience of more than 22,000.
Soloists, guest lectures
Performing in the two-weekend event will be the Bach Choir, the Bach Festival Orchestra, the Bel Canto Youth Chorus, plus a mix of soloists.
Vocal soloists include soprano Sherezade Panthaki, mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, tenor Benjamin Butterfield, baritone William Sharp and bass-baritone Edmund Milly.
This year, the distinguished scholar lecture will be given by Dr. Michael Marissen. Marissen will discuss his work on "The Low are Made Mighty."
The discussion, held at 2 p.m. Fridays in the Zoellner Arts Center, also offers insight on Bach's church cantatas and secular chamber music.
Friday's schedule
At 4 p.m. on Fridays, there’s a choice of two “Bach at 4” performances.
The first concert is at the Incarnation of Our Lord Church (found at the intersection of Thomas and Buchanan Streets) and features a performance by festival artist-in-residence, recorder virtuoso Vincent Lauzer.
The community is invited to participate with members of the choir to sing Bach Chorales before the Bach at 4 Concert (sheet music will be provided).
The second concert takes place at the Saal of the Moravian Museum (on Church Street) and will feature Bach's Goldberg Variations with keyboard artist, Charlotte Mattax Moersch,
This year’s “Bach at 8” concerts (8 p.m. Fridays), feature a preview of the choir's upcoming European concert in Bach’s very own "Thomaskirche" and Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV 96 and Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 180.
Saturday's lineup
The Ifor Jones Chamber Music Concert (Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center) occurs at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11 and 4 p.m. May 18 at Zoellner Arts Center.
Lauzer in both soloist and supporting roles, will perform TWV 55:a2, and Bach’s Brandenberg Concerto No. 2.
Also on the program are select movements from Mozart’s Serenade No. 5 in D major, K. 204/213a, for wind instruments.
Also at Packer Memorial: Choral enthusiasts are invited to Packer Memorial to sing Bach chorales with Jackson and members of The choir, accompanied by Main Street Brass.
At Zimmerman's Cafe (7 p.m. Saturdays), listen to chamber music performed by young musicians who were chosen by audition.
The festival closes with the final round of the Young American Singers competition at Moravian University on Sunday, May 19.
Tickets are on sale at www.bach.org/season
