The Festival Bach begins at the magnificent Maison Symphonique concert hallThe 18th edition of the Montreal Bach Festival will take place from November 16 to December 8 The Montrealer October 24, 2024 288 Among the highlights of the 2024 edition: the opening concert, given in Quebec City and Montreal (November 22 and 23) conducted by Leonardo García Alarcón, world specialist in Baroque music and that of JS Bach; the final evening at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica (December 8) with Clemens Schuldt, the FBM Orchestra & the Les Éléments Chamber Choir; Other guest artists include ensembles Musica Sequenza (November 26) and Solomon’s Knot (November 29), the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin (November 30 and December 1), cellist Bruno Philippe (December 2) and violinist Alexander Read (December 3). Also on the program: the now traditional Nuit des chœurs, preceded by the Concert-famille (November 26), not forgetting the Off-Bach, whose program is available on the festival website. In all, the Festival will offer 19 concerts in 10 venues and over 250 artists. “Johann Sebastian Bach, like few others, is at the heart of humanity’s musical heritage. Bach was born in 1685, 43 years after the founding of Montreal. His music, like our city, is still very much alive today” says Alexandra Scheibler, Artistic Director of the Festival. Alexandra Scheibler is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Festival. The Montreal Bach Festival officially opens with one of J.S. Bach’s most accomplished works, the Mass in B minor. A musical monument, this work presents Bach at the height of his art and invites audiences to join this timeless journey. On the podium will be conductor Leonardo García Alarcón, a world-renowned Baroque specialist and a passionate lover of Bach’s music. “If it weren’t for Bach, I wouldn’t be a musician.” he said when he was very young… The Festival’s orchestra and choir join forces with renowned soloists for a breathtaking opening. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) Mass in B minor, BWV 232 Leonardo García Alarcón, conductor Mariana Flores, soprano I Dara Savinova, soprano II, alto Nicolas Scott, tenor Andreas Wolf, bass Orchestra & Choir Festival Bach Montréal The Festival will continue with nineteen concerts in ten different halls. The closing Gala will feature Clemens Schuldt conducting the Festival Bach Montreal Orchestra & Les Éléments Chamber Choir on Sunday, December 8, 7:30 p.m., Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal. Soloists: Myriam LeBlanc, William Shelton, Benedikt Kristjansson and Jonathon Adams. Off-Festival Bach 2024 is free. November 25 to December 3 at 3487 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal will feature well-known artists from the music scene as well as talented up-and-coming artists. The Off-Festival Bach was launched in 2019. This new initiative was developed with the intention of creating a unique and welcoming environment to make classical music accessible to a wide audience. The Off-Bach is a place where the public can come to attend recitals, small lectures, open rehearsals, or simply enjoy a coffee or glass of wine while chatting. In partnership with Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Katelyn Emerson will continue a great tradition that has continued for over 50 years at the Oratory. During the Festival, on Sundays at 3:30 pm, a concert is presented on the Basilica’s Beckerath organ. According to The Diapason, “Katelyn Emerson has taken the organ world by storm.” Tickets for the festival and individual concerts can be purchased online: www.festivalbachmontreal.com or by phone: 438-380-4888 or at the box office 45 minutes before the concert.