Johann Sebastian Bach and Greek Mythology

What does Hercules have in common with Tmolus and Midas? All three were faced with a serious dilemma: the young Hercules, even before he became a hero, had to choose between the narrow path of Virtue and the deceptively alluring path of Vice, while Tmolus and Midas, as judges in the musical contest between Apollo (Phoebus) and Pan, had to declare a winner.

These two wonderful myths from antiquity were turned into ‘theater with music’ (dramma per musica) by perhaps the greatest composer of any era: Johann Sebastian Bach. Cantata 213 (“Hercules at the Crossroads”) consists of masterful fragments the composer also used in his celebrated Christmas Oratorio.

Cantata 201 (“The Contest between Phoebus and Pan”) brings a humorous touch to a subject that interested Bach throughout his life: the relationship between ‘light’ music and the serious spiritual music. Pan’s music is diverting, sprightly and Dionysian, Phoebus’ lush and profoundly moving, featuring an exchange between the voice and the magical sounds of the baroque traverse flute and oboe d’ amore.

Renewing his long-standing relationship with the Camerata, Alexandros Myrat will be conducting the orchestra on period instruments for the first time. Alongside him, six distinguished Greek soloists lend their voices to the mythic heroes.