The Bach Choir of Bethlehem continues its celebrated Bach at Noon series with a captivating program of J.S. Bach’s sacred and secular works on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 12:10 PM, at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem. This free lunchtime concert, a cherished tradition in the Lehigh Valley, will feature the Violin Sonata in G Major (BWV 1019), Erbarme dich, mein Gott from the Saint Matthew Passion, and Cantata 170, “Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust.”
Highlighting this month’s performance is Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, soprano, winner of the 2024 Young American Singers Competition. Razafinjatovo, recognized for her expressive artistry and deep connection to Bach’s music, will perform as a featured soloist. The competition, held biennially in collaboration with the American Bach Society, is a premier national competition designed to foster emerging talent with a passion for the music of J.S. Bach. The competition provides singers with opportunities for professional growth, allowing finalists to showcase their abilities before a distinguished panel of judges in front of a live audience at the Choir’s Bach Festival in May.
As a co-winner of the competition, Razafinjatovo received a $1,500 career development grant and the opportunity to perform as a soloist at this month’s Bach at Noon series under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Christopher Jackson. The distinguished judging panel included Sherezade Panthaki, Clara Rottsolk, Dr. Daniel Melamed, and Christopher Jackson.
The 12th biennial Young American Singers Competion, held last May, continues the Bach Choir’s long-standing commitment of supporting the next generation of Bach interpreters and cultivating excellence in Baroque performance. As always, the Bach Choir’s Bach at Noon remains free and open to the public, offering audiences the opportunity to experience the timeless beauty of Bach’s music in an informal and welcoming setting.
Event Details
What: Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s Bach at Noon Series
When: Tuesday, March 11th at 12:10pm, doors at 11:30am.
Where: Central Moravian Church, 73 W. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018
ABOUT THE BACH CHOIR OF BETHLEHEM
Founded in 1898 and comprised of 115 dedicated volunteer singers, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest American Bach Choir, performing the first complete U.S. renditions of Bach’s Mass in B Minor in 1900 and Christmas Oratorio in 1901. Under Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Christopher Jackson, the choir attracts thousands each year to Bethlehem, PA for its annual Bethlehem Bach Festival. Programming includes over 40 concerts and educational events per year, reaching an audience of more than 22,000 through outreach programs like Bach to School, Bach at Noon, interdisciplinary family concerts, and more. The choir’s latest recording, Mendelssohn/Bach Matthäus-Passion (2024) was released by Analekta, Canada’s largest indie classic label. The Bach Choir’s Bel Canto Youth Chorus, an educational program under the direction of Director Kelly Rocchi, is training the next generation of choral singers and cultivating a life-long passion for the choral arts. For more information, visit BACH.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Glenn Koehler
