The idea started at post-concert drinks with friends, lamenting that Bach wrote nearly 300 cantatas, and although over 200 of these are available today, the vast majority are rarely if ever performed in Australia. We sought to remedy this, by assembling some of the country’s best and most passionate early-instrument specialists, who every two months meet, rehearse and publicly perform two cantatas on the day at a different church in Sydney.

A cantata is a composition for solo vocalists, choir and instrumentalists. The meaning of the term has changed over time, but became prominent in its use in the liturgy of church services. The word cantata comes from the Italian word ‘cantare’ which means ‘to sing’. It usually consists of arias, recitatives, choruses, chorales and occasionally instrumental sinfonias. Throughout Bach’s life working as a church musician, he was expected to compose a new cantata for each weekly service. These works showcase a wide range of musical styles and demonstrate Bach’s mastery of choral and instrumental writing.

Starting in 2023, the Cantata Project has already performed eight of Bach’s cantatas, including the Ascension Oratorio, Coffee Cantata and many more. All concerts are performed on instruments of the period, and this year we ae presenting six concerts at churches around Sydney including Summer Hill Church, St John’s Darlinghurst and St Stephen’s Newtown.

We look forward to seeing you at our next concert, as we all discover the wonders of the cantatas of Bach.