FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Bach Collegium, the area’s only early music choral and instrumental ensemble, is starting off its 9th season with an unusual offering on Saturday October 30th at the Fort Wayne History Center, 302 East Berry Street. Instead of providing a taste of the upcoming season, the Collegium will host a unique and donated concert from guest artists Rob Turner playing the Baroque flute and Janet Scott on the harpsichord and clavichord in a program called Bach in Berlin, using period instruments as is the practice of the Collegium. The venue of the History Center was chosen because of its vibrant resonant performance space that provides an excellent showcase for the buoyant style of the Baroque era. Concert time is at 7PM, and tickets are available at the door ($15) or in advance.
The Collegium singers join forces for their next concert, Sunday November 14th at 5PM at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 405 West Wayne Street, for a Concert of Double Choir Delights, using the galleries for optimum stereophonic effect. As ever, the singers will be joined by period instruments to achieve what has been called “one of the finest blended ensembles in the area”. The spaces of this particular church will allow the buoyant style of the Baroque era to shine through as they perform works by Bach, Gabrieli, Brahms, and more. Ticket price is $15 for adults, $5 for students, and details can be purchased online.
In early December, the group will offer its annual gift to the community in the form of a Messiah Sing-Along, held at Queen of Angels Church on West State Boulevard at 2pm Sunday December 5th. This is a fabulous opportunity for those who may have sung choruses of the Messiah long ago, or who have always loved the work, to join with friends and sing the timeless music of Handel. Under the direction of Tom Remenschneider, and with holiday cookies and drinks at intermission, this is a definite holiday tradition. Tickets only $5, and the Collegium will provide scores if you can’t find your own.
The Collegium’s Second Annual Baroque Festival takes place the weekend of February 19th and 20th, with an early instruments recital and then a vocal concert, both at Zion Lutheran Church at 2313 S. Hanna Street, chosen for its impeccable acoustics for the Baroque era sound. Saturday’s informal recital will introduce and demonstrate instruments used at the time of Bach, with fun illustrations on pitch, temperament and style; then Sunday’s late afternoon concert will perform Bach’s St Luke Passion, with some recognizable melodies and a rendition that is more gentle than some of the other passions we know. Tickets are $15 for the entire Festival.
The season ends with a Baroque Splendor Season Finale, at the magnificent St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 518 E. DeWald Street, with a performance on May 1st at 7pm. The Collegium will perform the short Mass in G Major (only 2 movements as opposed to the customary 5 movements of a mass) and tickets are $15.