Bach Choir of Bethlehem presents concert to soothe and celebrate

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem offers a spring concert March 27, featuring music to soothe and music to celebrate – echoing the emotions so many have experienced over the past two years.
Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld presents two premieres for the choir at this concert: Maurice Durufle’s “Requiem” and George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah, Part 2,” long-delayed from 2020.
(The choir performed Messiah, Part 1 in December 2019.) “Listeners will find consolation and beauty in the ‘Duruflé,’ which offers both a sense of peace and moments of extraordinary power.”
Performed for the first time by The Bach Choir, Handel’s jubilant “Hallelujah” chorus will “inspire gratitude and well-being in all who hear it.” The choir offers Messiah, Part 2 as “the perfect musical moment” – for enduring and emerging from the many challenges that have surrounded so many for so long.
Performing with The Bach Festival Orchestra, the concert welcomes soloists Ellen McAteer, soprano; Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Taylor, counter-tenor; Benjamin Butterfield, tenor; and Daniel Lichti, bass-baritone.

As his June, 2022 retirement approaches, this will be the final spring concert under the direction of Conductor Funfgeld.
“The ‘Duruflé Requiem’ is one of the greatest choral works of the 20th century – such beautiful and Romantic music, lush and powerful, filled with solace and comfort, power and hope, love and joy. Part Two of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ contains some of his most memorable and enduring music, including ... Handel’s most beloved ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’ This concert will comfort and uplift us all – please join us and bring your family and friends,” Funfgeld said.
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem Spring Concert: The Music of Duruflé and Handel will be performed at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 27 at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2744 Center St., Bethlehem.
COVID-19 protocol for audience members may be found on the choir’s website: bach.org/coronavirus.
Tickets are $39, and $9 for students. For information and tickets, visit bach.org, 610-866-4382.

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