Bach’s Divine Comedy

Friday, September 19, 2025 at 7:30PM
Zilkha Hall, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby St, Google Maps)

Our 2025/26 Twists of Fate season begins with a dazzling singing contest from the pen of J. S. Bach: his dramma per musica “Phoebus & Pan,” who argue the virtues of artful and populist song styles, respectively. Thankfully, Bach’s secular cantata, as filtered through the Roman storyteller Ovid, comes to a happier conclusion than the original myth: in the ancient Greek tale, Apollo (god of music) flays Pan (god of nature) for his clumsy singing. A stellar cast of eight also offers an intricate double-chorus motet, and the orchestra a beloved suite.

Featured artists:
Hannah DePriest and Andréa Walker°, sopranos
Jay Carter and Michael Skarke, countertenors
Matthew Newhouse° and Thomas O’Neill, tenors
Tom Meglioranza and Timothy Jones, bass-baritones

° Ars Lyrica debut

On the program:
Music of Johann Sebastian Bach
“Orchestral” Suite in D Major BWV 1068
Motet: Fürchte dich nicht BWV 228
The Dispute between Phoebus & Pan BWV 201

Explore the full 2025/26 season here.

Single tickets will go on sale in August 2025