November 6, 2021

James Bagwell conducts Bach and Vivaldi

The Berkshire Bach Society continues its 2021-2022 concert season on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 5pm with a performance of two choral favorites at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington (MA)—J.S. Bach’s Cantata, Wachet auf, rufts uns die Stimme (Sleepers awake! The Voice calls to us), BWV 140, and Antonio Vivaldi’s ever-popular Gloria in D Major, RV 589.  Internationally-acclaimed choral conductor James Bagwell welcomes audiences back to live vocal music with his first-ever performance of Wachet auf for Berkshire Bach, and a reprise of his 2016 performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria.  Bagwell has worked with Berkshire Bach for some 18 years and is currently Professor of Music at Bard College, Director of Performance Studies in the Bard College Conservatory of Music, and fresh off SummerScape, the annual Bard summer music festival that this year included a critically-acclaimed performance of Ernest Chausson’s opera, Le roi Arthus (King Arthur). The works he has chosen for Berkshire Bach contain some of the most familiar (and beautiful) music in the Baroque repertoire—comfort food for the soul as we emerge from the global Covid pandemic.  In addition to the cantata and Gloria, the program includes Bach’s motet Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (Praise God, all the Nations), BWV 230, the exquisite aria, Bist du bei mir (With you at my side), BWV 508, and organ music by Bach played by organist Renée Anne Louprette, who will appear in Berkshire Bach’s Organ Masters series in February 2022. 

Join Berkshire Bach as we continue to celebrate our 30th Anniversary Year in this splendid choral concert with soloists, chorus, and Baroque orchestra. Reserved Seating $60 available online in advance at www.berkshirebach.org; General Seating $40 online or at the door; Young Professional’s Ticket $25 online or at the door. Berkshire Bach member discounts apply to General Seating; Children under 18 and students with student ID are admitted free of charge.  Covid protocols apply.