Capital City Concerts: Bach "Sleepers Awake"

Past event
Oct 19, 2019

For the second year, Capital City Concerts is putting on a big Bach concert. This year it is Bach's "Wachet Auf" ("Sleepers Awake") Cantata on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH at 7:30PM at Saint Augustine Church in Montpelier and on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH at 3PM at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Burlington. World-class singer soloists, chorus, and a professional orchestra will be directed by Richard Riley . Violinist Laurie Smukler (a faculty member of the Juilliard School) will be the soloist in Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor.

The "Sleepers Awake" chorale was born out of darkness and despair yet this beloved melody is one of the most uplifting melodies ever written. In the late 16th century, a terrible plague spread through parts of Europe, including a town in Germany called Unna where over 1300 residents died during this outbreak. Philipp Nicolai, the pastor of the town's church became deathly ill, then against all odds, he recovered from the illness and wrote the hymn "Wachet auf" in gratitude. His moving hymn achieved immortality and became the setting for Bach's poignant and popular cantata.

Advance sale tickets at www.capitalcityconcerts.org. ($15-$25) Subscription tickets are $80 for four concerts. Save $5 per ticket. Tickets (for Montpelier concert) also available at Bear Pond Books, Montpelier. (Check or cash only-in person)

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