Montreal, May 7th, 2025
The 19th edition of the Festival International Bach Montréal takes place from November 15 to December 7, 2025! With the tagline: ‘Better is good’, the 2025 line-up includes..:
- Large-scale sacred music
The opening and closing concerts will bring together choir and orchestra to perform Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah and Bach’s St John Passion. - Superstar countertenor
The festival welcomes world-renowned countertenor and breakdancer Jakub Józef Orliński, accompanied by Michal Biel on piano. - Bach and modernity
The 18th and 20th centuries meet. Jazz improvisations on J.S. Bach (Paul Lay Trio), Bach and Piazzolla (Théo Ould), Bach and Satie (Thomas Dunford).
- Pillars of the canon
From Bach, the six keyboard Partitas (Schaghajegh Nosrati) and excerpts from The Well Tempered Clavier (Phantasm), from Vivaldi, The Four Seasons (Les Arts Florissants). - Virtuoso performers in solo or small ensemble
We are honored to welcome Sergei Babayan (solo piano), Luc Beauséjour (solo harpsichord), and the Ensemble Mirabilia with soprano Myriam Leblanc.
- Bach Festival classics
As every year, the festival presents the Bach incognito children’s concert, the Night of Choirs, and organ concerts at Saint Joseph’s Oratory. - Off-Bach
Alongside the official program, our entirely free Off-Bach festival welcomes the general public to (re)discover classical music outside its usual context.
In total: 19 concerts, 25 free events (recitals, talks, meetings with artists, masterclasses), 16 venues, 125 artists
“Our festival is now called — Festival International Bach Montréal. The addition of the qualifier “international” reflects the spirit that has guided our event from the beginning: to welcome exceptional artists from around the world alongside remarkable local talent, to create ties beyond borders, and to share the universal music of Bach with an ever-growing community that travels from increasingly distant places to meet in Montreal.” explains Alexandra Scheibler, the festival’s artistic director.
Montreal International Bach Festival 2025 – Program
Opening concert: Samy Moussa conducts the MIBF orchestra and choir
- Friday November 20th at 7:30 pm, Palais Montcalm, Québec
- Saturday November 21th at 7:30, Maison symphonique, Montréal
Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847)
Elijah (oratorio), Op. 70, MWV A 25 (German version)
Closing concert: Rudolf Lutz conducts the MIBF orchestra and choir and the Bach Stiftung St. Gallen a capella choir
Sunday December 7th at 7:30, Maison symphonique, Montréal
Johann-Séebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
St John Passion
The concerts:
November 23 – Thomas Dunford, lute ; J.S. Bach and E. Satie
November 24 – Jakub Josef Orlinski & Michal Biel ; Works from Bach, Handel, Purcell, Baird & Karlowicz
November 25 – Les Arts Florissants ; The Four Seasons, Vivaldi
November 26 – Schaghajegh Nosrati ; the six Partitas for keyboard, J.S. Bach
November 27 – Théo Ould ; J.S. Bach and Piazzolla
November 28 – Phantasm, viola da gamba ensemble ; The Art of Fugue, J.S. Bach
December 1st – Mirabilia Ensemble, Myriam Leblanc, soprano ; sonatas and arias, J.S. Bach
December 2nd – Paul Lay Trio ; Jazz, improvisations on J.S. Bach
December 3rd – Luc Beauséjour ; Works from Bach, Böhm, Marcello, Froberger, Fischer
December 4th – Sergei Babayan ; open program
December 6th – Bach Stiftung St. Gallen, a capella choir ; Motets from J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn & Schein
Yearly events
Saturday November 15th at 2 p.m, at The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, we welcome a young audience for a family afternoon of discovery with the Les Boréades de Montréal ensemble.
Also Saturday November 15th, at The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, our traditional Night of Choirs, with several of Montreal’s best choirs. Free admission.
Sunday afternoons at Saint Joseph’s Oratory Basilica: organ concerts.
Off-Bach Festival 2025
From November 27th to December 4th – 3487 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal
EVERYTHING IS FREE – The Off-Bach Festival was launched in 2019 and seeks to make classical music accessible to a wider audience. Through a variety of events, it allows the audience to experience classical music outside of its usual context: recitals, rehearsals, impromptu performances, discussions, a glass of wine or cup coffee, and much more!
Festival International Bach Montréal
Founded in 2005 by Alexandra Scheibler, the Festival International Bach Montréal is North America’s premier destination for the timeless musical genius of Johann Sebastian Bach and the precious cultural heritage he inspired. Since then, year after year, the event has consistently brought together exceptional artists from the four corners of the globe. The Montreal International Bach Festival: Montreal’s autumn musical rendez-vous!
Tickets : www.festivalbachmontreal.com or (514) 843-3414
Complete program on www.festivalbachmontreal.com
For additional information, please contact us at: info@festivalbachmontreal.com
CANIMEX Group : presenting sponsor of the 2025 Montreal International Bach Festival
