Welcome note from the President

Upon my arrival in Montréal a few years ago I was impressed by the cultural opportunities that the city has to offer. And yet as a musicologist from Germany, to my great surprise there was to date no institution in the whole of Canada dedicated to the work of Johann Sebastian Bach. In an effort to change this situation the Bach-Académie de Montréal was founded.

What was thought to be an easy task turned out to be rather complex as cultural events tend to be. I am extremely pleased that after many months of work and dedication the Bach-Académie de Montréal has come to fruition. This would not have been possible without the hard work of our board of directors, Julian Wachner, Christopher Jackson and Stéphane Miron.

We are very proud to be able to present the first international Bach Festival in Montréal and to offer an additional attraction to the multifaceted cultural life in this great city. I would like to extend my gratitude to our co-artistic directors Christopher Jackson and Julian Wachner for successfully taking on this project and to Sabine Pletat, our General Manager, who has contributed all her energy and talent to the success of this first Festival.

A warm welcome to all of you who are joining us on this exciting journey.

Dr. Alexandra Scheibler
President and Executive Director

Welcome from the Minister of Culture and Communications

Bach's works are part of the world's musical heritage and continue to be admired by classical music lovers more than two-and-a-half centuries after the composer's passing. I am pleased to be associated with the first Montreal Bach Festival and thank the Bach-Académie for organizing this event dedicated to a timeless genius who took baroque music to a level rarely attained.

I am delighted that Montréal is hosting a Bach festival to rival those in Leipzig, Ansbach, Paris, and London. Indeed, our largest city boasts a pool of internationally known musicians and ensembles capable of performing the music of the uncontested master of fugue and counterpoint with aplomb and brio.

I thank the Bach-Académie's partners and wish all music lovers from Montréal and the rest of Québec many hours of good listening.

Line Beauchamp
Minister of Culture and Communications of Quebec

Welcome from the Mayor

I am pleased to salute the creation of the Bach Festival. Only in its first year, it is already shaping up to be an impressive international musical celebration. Its programming leads us to believe that Montrealers, known for their love of classical and especially baroque music, will enthusiastically welcome this new annual get-together, which strengthens Montreal?s role as a cultural metropolis.

I would like to salute the Bach-Académie de Montréal and its president, musicologist Alexandra Scheibler, for their initiative. Thanks also to everyone who helped them prepare for this wonderful event. I invite all Montrealers not to miss this exceptional meeting of outstanding artists from here and abroad, which the City of Montréal is proud to support. Have an excellent Montreal Bach Festival 2005.

Gérald Tremblay
Mayor of Montréal