Five Cities Baroque Opening Concert

The BACH choir will open the 2026 Five Cities Baroque Festival with a performance of J.S. Bach's exquisite cantata Actus Tragicus, with flutes and strings, plus works by Schütz, Rossi, and Lobo. Soloists will be Katie Buzard, Emma Lloyd, Nate Widelitz, and Jack Bertrand. Admission is free.
Program
Cantata BWV 106: Actus Tragicus ("Gottes Zeit") by J.S. Bach
Cantata BWV 18 by J.S. Bach
Selig sind die Toten by Heinrich Schütz
Der Herr ist mein Hirt, SWV 33 by Heinrich Schütz
Mizmor l'todah by Salomone Rossi
Versa est in luctum by Alonso Lobo
About the Festival
The Five Cities Baroque Festival gathers stellar artists from Champaign-Urbana, Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, and Decatur to deliver free, world-class performances of 17th- and 18th-century music in accessible settings, serving the communities between Chicago and St. Louis with classical music events close to home. The festival is also designed to build bridges between the musical and educational institutions in central Illinois. BACH is delighted to join in this cooperative effort. https://www.fivecitiesbaroque.org/about