Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
BACHfestival Mannheim

Name:

BACHfestival Mannheim, Mannheimer Bachfestival, or Mannheimer Bachtage

Location:

Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Venues:

Christuskirche Mannheim, Werderplatz 16, 68161 Mannheim

Years:

Since 2011 (Annual Festival)

Months:

March

Artistic Director:

Johannes-Matthias Michel

Ensembles:

Kammerchor Mannheim
Bachchor Mannheim
Sinfonietta Mannheim

Website:

Christuskirche Mannheim: Kirchenmusik [German]

History & Mission:

The BACHfestival Mannheim (or Mannheimer Bachfest) is an annual classical music event dedicated to the work of J.S. Bach. Hosted at the historic Christuskirche Mannheim, its mission is to nurture the city's rich choral tradition while bringing J.S. Bach's extensive vocal, oratorio, and organ repertoire to the public.
History
The festival was officially launched in March 2011 to consolidate and elevate the city's ongoing Bach traditions. It is deeply rooted in the Bachchor Mannheim, which was originally founded in 1914 by cantor and organist Arno Landmann. Today, the festival is spearheaded by Artistic Director Johannes-Matthias Michel and features resident ensembles such as the Bachchor Mannheim, Kammerchor Mannheim, and Sinfonietta Mannheim.
Mission
The festival's primary goal is the continuous cultivation of J.S. Bach’s musical heritage alongside other sacred and classical repertoire. It strives to:
Promote Education: Engage the local community through historically informed performances, workshops, and concerts.
Showcase Local Talent: Provide a dedicated platform for Mannheim’s prominent church choirs and instrumentalists.
Utilize Historic Spaces: Perform J.S. Bach's music in environments designed to mimic the acoustic and architectural scale of his era.

Recent Festivals:

1^st Festival: Mar 11-14, 2011
2^nd Festival: Mar 11-18, 2012
3^rd Festival: Mar 2-10, 2013
4^th Festival: Mar 22-29, 2014
The Festival is no longer active

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