Early Music Vancouver hosts Festive Cantatas: Bach & Zelenka, December 22

Alexander Weimann directs the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and five soloists in afternoon of holiday works

SPONSORED POST BY Early Music Vancouver

Pacific Baroque Orchestra. Photo by Jess MacAleese

 
 

Early Music Vancouver’s Festive Cantatas return for the holiday season with a pairing of Bach’s Gloria in excelsis Deo and Czech composer Jan Dismas Zelenka’s Missa Nativitatis Domini at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on December 22 at 3 pm.

These two festive works will be performed by the Pacific Baroque Orchestra and Vancouver Chamber Choir, with soloists Hélène Brunet, Suzie LeBlanc, Cecilia Duarte, James Reese, and William Kraushaar.

The only Bach church cantata set to a Latin text, Gloria in excelsis Deo features opening lines that will immediately strike listeners. It is based entirely on the “Gloria” from Bach’s Mass in B minor, with an unusual premiere in Leipzig on Christmas Day in 1745 to celebrate the Treaty of Dresden.

A pre-concert chat will take place with Pacific Baroque Orchestra artistic director Alexander Weimann (who is directing this concert), Benjamin Raymond, and soloist Reese.

Tickets are available through Early Music Vancouver.


Post sponsored by Early Music Vancouver.

 

Vancouver Chamber Choir. Photo by Diamond’s Edge

 
 
 

Related Articles

Featured
Singer Darynn Dean teams up with Daniel Hersog for June 25 North Shore Jazz performance
Singer Darynn Dean teams up with Daniel Hersog for June 25 North Shore Jazz performance

The local trumpeter leads his eponymous Jazz Orchestra in a home-field appearance featuring the rising-star Los Angeles vocalist

Early Music Vancouver's 2026 Summer Festival opens with Orfeo, July 31 and August 2
Early Music Vancouver's 2026 Summer Festival opens with Orfeo, July 31 and August 2

Bold production of Monteverdi’s influential opera features director Guillaume Bernardi, conductor Alexander Weimann, and singer Marc Mauillon

For Vancouver’s Missy D, music is a way to communicate, no matter what the language
For Vancouver’s Missy D, music is a way to communicate, no matter what the language

The rapper and singer performs at Alliance Française Vancouver’s annual Fête de la Musique, alongside Kaya Ko, Alpha Yaya Diallo, Phantom Jungle, and many other eclectic acts

Keyon Harrold and Ron Di Lauro pay homage to the mastery of Miles Davis by taking their own paths
Keyon Harrold and Ron Di Lauro pay homage to the mastery of Miles Davis by taking their own paths

At this year’s Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the two acclaimed trumpeters find unique ways of expressing the legend’s enduring influence

Isaiah Collier celebrates John Coltrane's centennial at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, July 1
Isaiah Collier celebrates John Coltrane's centennial at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, July 1

Marquee Series concert showcases the tenor saxophonist’s sonic innovation and Chicago roots, in homage to a true legend

Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 concerts to catch at Powell River’s PRISMA Festival
Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 concerts to catch at Powell River’s PRISMA Festival

Intriguing programming ranges from majestic Holst and Berlioz to a contemporary work dedicated to craft brews, plus a beachfront finale

Universal Gospel Choir sings songs that honour struggle and celebrate strength on June 13
Universal Gospel Choir sings songs that honour struggle and celebrate strength on June 13

The choir, which has shared stages with international superstars Alicia Keys and Chris Martin, closes its season with a concert titled Songs of Resilience

In Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, Keith Alessi touts the life-saving power of banjos, June 11 to 14
In Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, Keith Alessi touts the life-saving power of banjos, June 11 to 14

After a cancer diagnosis, the former CEO left the corporate world and finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing his favourite musical instrument

Trumpeter Keyon Harrold plays Foreverland and Songs For Miles at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 30
Trumpeter Keyon Harrold plays Foreverland and Songs For Miles at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 30

Joined by his ensemble, the expressive artist pairs songs off his latest album with music inspired by his involvement in a Miles Davis biopic

Composer celebrates natural wonders at Cascade Peaks ChamberFest
Composer celebrates natural wonders at Cascade Peaks ChamberFest

The festival will include the premiere of Imant Raminsh’s Where Wildness Lives, a choral work dedicated to the artistic director’s late father

Universal Gospel Choir hosts Songs of Resilience, with two concerts on June 13
Universal Gospel Choir hosts Songs of Resilience, with two concerts on June 13

Taking place at Canadian Memorial United Church, the event celebrates the strength cultivated through community

Alliance Française Vancouver hosts a day of free concerts at Fête de la Musique, June 21
Alliance Française Vancouver hosts a day of free concerts at Fête de la Musique, June 21

Lineup spans indie-rock band Grade School, rap artist Missy D, the Cedar & Sage Dancers, and beyond

Buddie, Wack, Theremin Man, and more as Rickshaw and Eastside Arts Festival unveil free Maclean Park concert lineup
Buddie, Wack, Theremin Man, and more as Rickshaw and Eastside Arts Festival unveil free Maclean Park concert lineup

Outdoor show on July 25, part of the larger fest, also features Big Rig and DJ Jody Glenham

PRISMA Festival hosts 14th annual classical-music celebration in Powell River, June 15 to 27
PRISMA Festival hosts 14th annual classical-music celebration in Powell River, June 15 to 27

Programming spans ticketed concerts, an outdoor community performance, masterclasses, and more

Dutch band The Ex plays the Vancouver International Jazz Festival with Grdina/Lillinger, June 26
Dutch band The Ex plays the Vancouver International Jazz Festival with Grdina/Lillinger, June 26

Marquee Series act is known for its ’70s-punk roots and ever-evolving sound

Cascade Peaks ChamberFest launches its annual Festival Concert Series at scenic RockRidge Canyon, June 19 to 21
Cascade Peaks ChamberFest launches its annual Festival Concert Series at scenic RockRidge Canyon, June 19 to 21

Taking place in the state-of-the-art Rock Theatre, program features the Borealis String Quartet, Juno Award–winning Gryphon Trio, and more

The VSO closes its 2025-26 season with Gustav Mahler’s epic Third Symphony, May 29 and 30
The VSO closes its 2025-26 season with Gustav Mahler’s epic Third Symphony, May 29 and 30

Otto Tausk conducts the orchestra, along with mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb and the Vancouver Bach Choir, in a symphony that has a lot of everything

Rising stars take the stage as Opera West honours Old Auditorium’s centenary, May 30
Rising stars take the stage as Opera West honours Old Auditorium’s centenary, May 30

Finale of the storied UBC venue’s 100th-anniversary celebrations features celebrated soprano Simone Osborne and bass-baritone Gordon Bintner

Tomoki Sanders Quartet brings its rich avant-garde sound to the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 25
Tomoki Sanders Quartet brings its rich avant-garde sound to the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 25

New York–based multi-instrumentalist, the child of legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, is joined by their band and the Todd Stewart Trio

Khatsahlano Street Party announces musical lineup for Wonderland-themed July 11 event
Khatsahlano Street Party announces musical lineup for Wonderland-themed July 11 event

Performers at the 2026 edition include Uncle Strut, Felisha and the Jazz Rejects, Art d’Ecco, Brass Camel, Rich Hope, and many more

Vancouver Folk Music Festival gears up for versatile summer lineup, July 17 to 19
Vancouver Folk Music Festival gears up for versatile summer lineup, July 17 to 19

Artists hitting Jericho Beach Park range from Denmark’s Tina Dico and Ukraine’s Yagódy to Portland’s Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin

MUSICStir VancouverPartner Content, Early Music Vancouver, EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVEr, Holiday 2024, Alexander Weimann, Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir