Singer

The work remains a mystery to this day. Why did Bach, a Protestant, write this great Catholic mass towards the end of his life and thus leave a kind of compositional legacy? Hans-Christoph Rademann, director of the Gaechinger Cantorei, has long been concerned with this pinnacle of vocal art, with the question of the reason for its composition, but also with the fractures that result from its enormous stylistic range. It is all the more astonishing, almost incomprehensible, that such a great whole should emerge from it," marvels the conductor and Bach expert in view of the work's heterogeneous individual parts. For the director of the Stuttgart Original Sound Ensemble, this combination of contrasting elements has a strong symbolic power: "It is a global work, and the ending with the prayer for peace is particularly topical. We need that today.

EPSG:4326

J. S. Bach, H-moll-messe

Alte Oper

"The greatest artwork the world has ever seen" - at least that's what the head of the Berlin Sing-Akademie, Carl Friedrich Zelter, thought in 1811, over 60 years after Bach's death, about his Mass in B minor. But even without this superlative, it is the work of the master that is still the most frequently performed worldwide and is even said to make die-hard atheists contemplate. It is considered the peak of Bach's work and is the last major work that he was able to complete shortly before his death. For the Dresden Chamber Choir and Hans-Christoph Rademann, it is also a summit in a way, as the choir, together with the Dresden Philharmonic, will perform it as the highlight of its 40th anniversary year.

Bach B Minor Mass

Palace of Culture

Since 2016, the Gaechinger Cantorey has captivated audiences as Bach ambassadors with their own unique "Stuttgart Bach style," which the baroque orchestra and choir enjoy presenting far beyond the country's borders. The acoustics of the baroque pilaster church of St. Catherine in Wolfegg are tailor-made for Bach: His appointment to Leipzig's St. Thomas Church enabled the composer, for the first time, to devote himself entirely to "regulated church music in the glory of God." Sunday after Sunday, his sacred works were now heard in the three churches assigned to him as St. Thomas Cantor. Even though he occasionally took on existing works, posterity is amazed at the workload he managed each week. Added to this is his original, creative output, as well as the fact that he also organized the practical implementation, from writing the parts to rehearsals and performances. Together with four vocal soloists, the Gaechinger Cantorey performs three cantatas, which in turn accompany the readings of the Good Samaritan, the healing of lepers and the Archangel Michael.

Gaechinger Chantory

St. Katharina

Herbert Blomstedt

Munich Residence

“Erbarme dich, mein Gott ...” This monumental oratorio offers an extremely human perspective on Christ’s suffering, tugging at our heart strings. Hans-Christoph Rademann is an internationally respected Bach expert, in addition to being the founder of the world-renowned Dresdner Kammerchor. Together with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and some of the world’s leading soloists, he performs an extremely moving interpretation of this musical masterpiece. Bach’s St Matthew Passion is often performed in the run-up to Easter! Save the date on your concert calendar!

Bachs St Matthew Passion

Queen Elisabeth Hall

The ring grows from a painful insult – a spark that ignites an unleashed force that can no longer be tamed. "Das Rheingold" opens the gate to an unstoppable chain reaction that sets everything in motion and irrevocably steers destiny.

Das Rheingold

Bayreuth Festival Theatre

Jay Scheib translates Wagner's religious masterpiece into a contemporary, often abstract visual language, questioning traditional rituals and symbolism.

Parsifal

What breaks cannot be put back together. But in "Götterdämmerung" it becomes clear that even in the shadow of failure, a profound meaning shines – beyond revenge and glory.

Mezzo-soprano

Marie Henriette Reinhold

Events

Upcoming events

Jul 27 - Aug 12, 2026

Das Rheingold · Bayreuther Festspiele

Jul 31 - Aug 25, 2026

Parsifal · Bayreuther Festspiele

1 - 16 Aug, 2026

Twilight of the Gods · Bayreuther Festspiele

Past events

Mar 27, 2026

J. S. Bach, H-moll-messe · Alte Oper Frankfurt

Oct 3, 2025

Bach B Minor Mass · Dresdner Philharmonie

Future and recently performed repertoire

Singer in St. Matthew Passion by Bach

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Singer in Mass in B minor by Bach

Dresdner Philharmonie

Alto solo in Parsifal by Wagner

Bayreuther Festspiele

Klingsor's Magic Girls in Parsifal by Wagner

Bayreuther Festspiele

Floßhilde in Das Rheingold by Wagner

Bayreuther Festspiele

Singer in Mass in B minor by Bach

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Floßhilde in Twilight of the Gods by Wagner

Bayreuther Festspiele

About

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