BACH COLLEGIUM SAN DIEGO PERFORMS BACH'S CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT, THE B MINOR MASS, APRIL 5 - 6, 2014

First BCSD Performances of this Classical Masterpiece since 2008

March 19, 2014 (San Diego)--San Diego--Bach Collegium San Diego (BCSD) presents one of the best-known and best-loved works in the classical repertoire, Bach’s B Minor Mass, on April 5 and 6, 2014.

A highlight of the BCSD season, the B Minor Mass, is second only to "Messiah" on the list of most popular pieces of choral music ever written. It was last performed by BCSD in 2008.

"The B Minor Mass can be considered Bach’s greatest hits in one piece of music...It contains some of his best music and ideas from every stage of his life, from his youth clear to his final years," said music director Ruben Valenzuela. "It really is his magnum opus."

The performances are at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church in Pacific Beach and First Presbyterian Church downtown, both known for their excellent acoustics.

The BCSD season closes in May with Handel’s thrilling Il Trionfo del tempo e del disinganno, from 1707. Il Trionfo del tempo e del disinganno has the distinction of being Handel’s first oratorio, written at the age of 21 during his time in Rome working under the patronage of Cardinals Pamphili and Colonna. Based on the poetry of Petrarch, the text is a poetic argument for the virtue in turning our attention from fleshly preoccupations to those of the spirit, and features four virtuosic vocal soloists along with virtuosic orchestral writing.

Details and tickets can be found at the BCSD website. 

All dates, times, venues, and artists may be subject to change.

PRE-CONCERT DISCUSSIONS

Each concert is preceded by a roundtable discussion between selected performers and audience members, providing an opportunity to discuss the various topics related to the forthcoming concert. 

DETAILS AND TICKETS

Tickets to individual concerts are $25 or $40. Senior/Student Discount: $20

Rush tickets may be purchased at the door for $10 if seats are still available (student ID required).

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit the BCSD website.

ABOUT BCSD

Now celebrating its eleventh season, Bach Collegium San Diego was founded in 2003 by Ruben Valenzuela with the purpose of enriching San Diego’s music community with historically informed performances of the Renaissance, Baroque, and in particular the vocal works of J.S. Bach. Its members bring longstanding experience from such luminary ensembles as the Academy of Ancient Music, American Bach Soloists, Festival Ensemble Stuttgart, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and others. During its first decade, the ensemble has earned an impressive reputation, captivating diverse audiences with its unique style and highly expressive and provocative approach to the Renaissance and Baroque repertoire and beyond. The ensemble regularly participates in an international tour to Mexico City with performances at the Festival Internacional del Organo Barroco. BCSD has brought many historically informed first performances to San Diego for the first time. Such works include Handel’s Theodora and Messiah, Bach’s St. John Passion and B minor Mass, and Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers. BCSD was the only North American performance ensemble invited to participate in Bolivia’s national Baroque Music Festival in 2012.

For detailed bios and a list of ensemble performers please visit the website.