Early Music Vancouver’s summer festival is Bach and better than ever.

This summer, Early Music Vancouver (EMV) invites music lovers to join in for a week-long celebration of Bach, featuring traditional and interpretive performances of the Baroque composer’s work. 

“We are thrilled to offer audiences an adventurous program of some of Bach’s seminal works, but with a twist,” says EMV’s artistic and executive director Suzie LeBlanc in a release. “From traditional compositions reworked for unique instruments, such as mandolin and oud, to the introduction of vocal improvisation, inspired by Bach’s own customary practice of instrumental extemporization, Bach Untamed welcomes listeners to seek out new perspectives of Bach’s well-known and beloved classics.”

With nearly 50 international and Canadian artists participating, attendees can expect unique varieties of Bach’s diverse repertoire. Performers include Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman and Montreal-based tenor Haitham Haidar. A festival highlight will be the performance of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, a rare piece performed by 10 international soloists; another unique offering is a comedy night at Fox Cabaret, where a trio of tenors sing drinking songs in 17th-century style.

See the complete list of events online and buy tickets here.

Bach Untamed

When: July 30 to August 8

Where: Various venues