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Bethlehem Bach Festival schedule

The 109th Bethlehem Bach Festival, May 13-14 and 20-22, features The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Bach Festival Orchestra, with Greg Funfgeld, Artistic Director and Conductor; Soloists Agnes Zsigovics, soprano; Rosa Lamoreaux, soprano; Daniel Taylor, countertenor; Benjamin Butterfield, tenor; William Sharp, baritone; Daniel Lichti, bass, and Guest Artists Terry Everson, trumpet; Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company, and Christoph Wolff, Distinguished Scholar Lecture.

Here is the schedule:

May 13, 20

2 p.m.: Distinguished Scholar Lecture, Dr. Christoph Wolff, Room 145, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

4 p.m.: “Bach at 4: How Brightly Shines,” Incarnation of Our Lord Church, Thomas and Buchanan streets, Bethlehem. Greg Funfgeld hosts a concert performed by members of The Bach Choir and Bach Festival Orchestra, including the Festival premiere of Cantata 96 “Herr Christ, der eige Gottessohn” (“Lord Christ, Only Son of God”). Tricia Van Oers, sopranino recorder, creates an image of Christ as the Morning Star. A Handel group features the “Entrance of the Queen of Sheba.” Agnes Zsigovics, Daniel Taylor and Benjamin Butterfield perform Handel arias and duets. Principal cellist Loretta O’Sullivan plays Vivaldi’s Sonata No. 2 in B-flat major.

“Bach Chorale Sing, Part 1”: Arrive early for “Bach at 4” and sing Bach chorales with Greg Funfgeld and members of The Choir before the concert. Singers of all levels are welcome. Sheet music is provided.

4 p.m. “Chamber Music in the Saal: Treacherous Love,” Saal of the Moravian Museum, Church Street, Bethlehem. Charlotte Mattax-Moersch, harpsichord, performs Bach’s Italian Concerto. Elizabeth Field performs Corelli’s Violin Sonata, Op. 5, No. 3 in C Major. Rosa Lamoreaux, soprano, William Sharp, baritone, and Robin Kani, flute, perform Italian works by Handel and two of Bach’s secular cantatas on themes of treacherous love with texts in Italian: BWV 203 “Amore traditore” and BWV 209 “Non sa che delore.” The Saal is on the second floor of the museum and is not handicapped accessible.

5:45 p.m.: Buffet Dinner with talk by Dr. Larry Lipkis, Butz Lobby, Zoellner Arts Center. Lipkis is Professor of Music and Composer-In-Residence, Moravian College.

8 p.m.: “Easter Oratorio”: “Songs of Joy,” Packer Memorial Church, Lehigh University. The Choir’s season-long series of Bach’s major works for the festivals of the church year concludes with the “Easter Oratorio.” The program also includes Cantata BWV 100 “Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan” (“God’s actions are considered well”) and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with Boston-based and internationally-renowned trumpet soloist Terry Everson.

May 14, 21

10:30 a.m.: “Brimming Over”: Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company and Bach Festival Orchestra, Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center. The Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company returns to perform with the Bach Festival Orchestra for the first time since 2009. Two Festival premieres include “Aureole,” performed to movements of Handel’s “Concert Grossi” and “Cascade,” performed to movements from Bach’s harpsichord concertos with soloist Charlotte Mattax-Moersch. The program concludes with Bach Festival favorite “Esplanade,” performed to Bach’s double violin concerto with soloists Elizabeth Field and Claire Bright.

12:30 p.m.: Festival Lunch, Butz Lobby, Zoellner Arts Center, May 14; Rauch Business Center Atrium, May 21. Includes a conversation with one of the Festival soloists.

2 p.m.: “Bach Chorale Sing, Part 2”: Sing Bach chorales with Greg Funfgeld and members of the choir accompanied by The Festival Brass Choir at the flag pole near Packer Church.

2:30 p.m.: “The Mass In B Minor,” Part 1; 4:30 p.m.: Part 2, Packer Memorial Church

8:30 p.m.: “ Zimmermann’s Coffee House, Peter Hall, Moravian College. Modeled after Zimmermann’s Coffee House of Bach’s time in Leipzig, Germany. Baroque chamber music performed by young musicians chosen by audition. There will be appearances by Greg Funfgeld and friends. Purchase German fare, wine and beer.

May 22

1 p.m.: “Young American Singer Competition Finals,” Peter Hall, Moravian College. Free admission. No ticket required. Sponsored by the American Bach Society and The Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

Tickets: bach.org, 610-866-4382, ext. 110 or 115