78th Annual Bach Festival of Winter Park Runs Now thru 3/3 in Orlando

The Bach Festival Society will present its 78th Annual Bach Festival, today, February 15-March 3, 2013. The Society continues its commitment to presenting and producing the finest in classical and choral music while celebrating the legacy of its namesake, J.S. Bach.

This year the Society will present several works that it has never performed before, including J.S. Bach's Mass in G; Cantatas 52 and 119; the Sinfonia from Cantata 31, and Beethoven's Mass in C Major. All works will be directed by Dr. John V. Sinclair, Artistic Director and Conductor.

This year's special guest is Mr. Barrymore Laurence Scherer, a classical-music and fine-art critic for The Wall Street Journal. His book, A History of American Classical Music, won ForeWord Magaine's Music Book of the Year Gold Award. His residency is supported by the Rollins College Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Scholar Fund.

In addition to public performances, the Society will host an open rehearsal of the Bach's Timeless Gifts program, several pre- and post-concert talks, and a Tea and Talk with Mr. Scherer.

A complete schedule with more information about the Festival's programs and artists can be found below.

Christopher Houlihan, organ

Friday, February 15 at 8:00pm

A "major talent" (The American Organist) and a "rising star of the organ world who already has his own fan club" (Cincinnati Enquirer), "Houli" is one of the brightest stars in the new generation of American organists. He will be performing works by Camille Saint-Saëns, J. S. Bach, Maurice Ravel, and Franz Liszt.

Location: Knowles Memorial Chapel, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Tickets: $25, General Admission seating

Concertos by Candlelight: Mozart

Friday, February 22 at 7:30pm

Saturday, February 23 at 7:30pm

The elegance of Mozart and the beauty of the candlelit Chapel are highlighted in a program that features Gloria Cook performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, Julia Foster performing Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate, and R. J. Kelley performing Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 4. The Bach Festival Youth Choir performs the Papageno-Papagena duet from The Magic Flute and a Mozart Nocturne.

Location: Knowles Memorial Chapel, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Tickets: $25, General Admission seating

Free Events: Come to The Chapel early or stay late to learn more about these works. Pre-Concert Talks led by John V. Sinclair at 6:15pm and Post-Concert talks led by Barrymore Laurence Scherer at 9:30pm, both in the Chapel.

Tea and Talk with Scholar Barrymore Laurence Scherer: The Mass and Its Masters

Sunday, February 24 at 4:00pm

Scholar Barrymore Laurence Scherer (Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Scholar) leads a lively discussion about the upcoming concert "Titans in C," which features works by Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart.

Location: Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789

Details: Doors open and tea begins at 4:00pm. Program starts at 4:30pm.

Tickets: This is a free event. Please make reservations with the Bach Festival office by February 20, 2013. Bach Festival Office: 407.646.2182

Open Rehearsal: Bach's Timeless Gifts

Friday, March 1 at 6:45pm

A "behind-the-scenes" look at how conductor Dr. Sinclair prepares a program for performance. Join us to preview the only all-Bach program during this Festival. Works include Bach's Mass in G Major, as well as Cantatas BWV 119 and 52, and the Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 31.

Location: Knowles Memorial Chapel, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Tickets: Free event

Titans in C: Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn

Saturday, March 2 at 7:30pm

Join us for a night in C major with three jubilant works by the titans of the Classic Era. Mozart's Coronation Mass, Beethoven's Mass in C Major, and Haydn's Symphony No. 30, "Alleluja." This is a performance by the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra and guest soloists, directed by John V. Sinclair.

Mary Wilson, soprano

Margaret Lattimore, mezzo soprano

Robert Bracey, tenor

Chad Sloan, bass

Location: Knowles Memorial Chapel, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Tickets: Range from $25 to $55, depending on seat location

Bach's Timeless Gifts

Sunday, March 3 at 3:00pm

Bach's genius was his ability to balance passion, creativity, and logic and turn them into beauty, illustrated through the celebratory works on this program, all first-time performances by the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra.

Mary Wilson, soprano

Margaret Lattimore, mezzo soprano

Robert Bracey, tenor

Chad Sloan, bass

Location: Knowles Memorial Chapel, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Tickets: Range from $25 to $65, depending on seat location

Call The Box Office at 407.646.2182 or visit www.BachFestivalFlorida.org. Festival packages are available, as well as single tickets.

The mission of the Bach Festival Society is to inspire the human spirit through great classical music, featuring powerful choral performances, as we celebrate the legacy of J.S. Bach. The 2012-2013 season is the Society's 78th year of presenting outstanding musical offerings to the Central Florida community.

Located in Winter Park, Florida, the Bach Festival Society is one of the longest continuously operating Bach Festivals in the country and among America's great oratorio societies. The Bach Festival Society brings the highest caliber of classical music to Central Florida. Performances are held in the intimate settings of Tiedtke Concert Hall and Knowles Memorial Chapel on the beautiful campus of Rollins College.

For more information regarding the season or to order tickets, call the Bach Festival Society at 407.646.2182 or visit online at www.BachFestivalFlorida.org.

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