Come and join us on 26 July, for a performance of Bach’s impressive yet rarely performed cantata, BWV 186, Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht. This Bach Vespers service takes place at 6.30pm at the church of St Mary at Hill in the City of London, hosted by St Anne’s Lutheran Church.

Bach first wrote the music for this cantata for Advent in 1716, when he was working in Weimar. In 1723, Bach adapted and expanded the cantata for the seventh Sunday after Trinity, because in Leipzig it was not permitted to perform cantatas in Advent. This later version, which we perform, relates to the Gospel reading of the miracle of the bread and fishes. BWV 173 is a substantial work in two parts, intended to be performed either side of the sermon in a service, as we shall do. This cantata particularly features double-reed instruments, with three oboes in different sizes and bassoon. The cantata consists of eleven highly varied movements, including striking choruses, an energetic bass aria, a chromatic and sublimely expressive soprano aria and an exquisite duet for soprano and alto. There will also be lots of other music in the service, both vocal and instrumental, by Bach and other German baroque composers, performed on period instruments. This will be the final Bach Vespers before the summer break.

Everyone is welcome (you don’t have to be religious), and attendance is free. Do come along and bring your friends. We look forward to seeing you there to share Bach’s wonderful music!