Bach on the Rock: Sound the Horns! Beat the Drums!

Bach on the Rock kicks off its fifteenth season with a program of brilliant choruses and instrumental pieces from 18th Century English oratorios. With the demise of Italian opera in the mid-eighteenth century, the oratorio took on an important role as one of the principal dramatic forms. Handel (the musical genius behind Messiah, Judas Maccabeus, and many other popular oratorios) inspired many other musicians to compose in the same genre. Unfortunately many scores have been lost over the ages, however, we will be sampling some of the best surviving examples by composers such as Thomas Arne, William Boyce, Giovanni Bononcini, and of course, Handel. Some of these pieces will be having their first hearing in Canada, so don't miss what will be a rousing start to the Bach on the Rock concert season!