STEPHEN WAARTS REGINALD MOBLEY
ANTON MEJIAS
Welcome to Bath Bachfest 2026
It’s my great pleasure to present Bath Bachfest 2026. I’ve been fortunate to play at this festival and feel honoured to be following Amelia Freedman as Artistic Director.
Amelia was a central figure in my life through our work with the Nash Ensemble – we all miss her enormously and I would like to dedicate this programme to her memory. Her achievements here, and with so many other musical institutions in the UK, are profound and enduring.
This year’s Bachfest performances trace several interlinking lines from the beginnings of the baroque to Gluck’s early classical works, with Bach at its core. Solomon’s Knot mark their first visit to Bath with a narrated performance of early English baroque masterpieces. The Italian and French baroque, so integral to Bach’s development, is represented by Corelli, Vivaldi, Couperin and Rameau. Some of Bach’s most famous creations will be heard, including his Goldberg Variations, Well-Tempered Clavier, cantatas and solo violin works. A specially formed ensemble of outstanding musicians will perform, before regular visitors The Sixteen and Harry Christophers bring the weekend to a close at Bath Abbey. We look forward to welcoming you.
Adrian Brendel, Artistic Director
Join us for the 2026 Bath Bachfest Supper
After our opening concert with Solomon’s Knot on Thursday 19 February, please do join us at 9.30pm for the 2026 Bath Bachfest Supper at The Bird, Bath, opposite St Mary’s Bathwick.
This annual celebration is informal and relaxed and gives concert-goers the perfect opportunity to meet other music lovers and members of the Bath Bachfest team. You will be offered a delicious postconcert supper of a main course with wine. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements, or if you wish to be seated with friends when you book. All proceeds from this evening will support next year’s festival so please do join us for this enjoyable social event.
Tickets: £53 (NB This does not include a concert ticket)
Box Office: 01225 463362
Event Code: BF1A
Byrd
Jeffreys
Lawes
Jeffreys
Purcell
THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2026
ST MARY’S BATHWICK
7.00pm – c.9.30pm
Solomon’s Knot
James Garnon* & Holly Atkins* actors
George Jeffreys & the Birth of the English Baroque
O Lord, turn Thy wrath away from us
How wretched is the state you are all in; Felice Pastorella; A Music Strange
Royal Consort, Sett 4: Pavan
O quam jucundum; Heu, me miseram!; In the midst of life; Whisper it easily
Trio Sonata No 1 in G minor Z 790
This performance will start with an introduction to our new Artistic Director, Adrian Brendel, followed by a discussion about tonight’s performance with writer, composer and broadcaster Michael Berkeley, Solomon’s Knot Artistic Director, Jonathan Sells and the writer/ director of this evening’s performance, Federay Holmes
A fascinating programme of discovery and connection. George Jeffreys (c.1610–1685) lived between the great composers William Byrd and Henry Purcell, navigating the upheavals of the English Civil War. Organist to Charles I, he immersed himself in Italian madrigals, blending their expressiveness with Anglican intensity. His contemporary William Lawes can lay a claim to writing the earliest known chamber music, profoundly influencing the next generations of composers, including Purcell himself, through his bold and elaborate style.
Tickets: £42 £30 £17
Box Office: 01225 463362
Event Code: BF1
Please note, doors to the venue will open at 6.30pm
Dan Joy
SOLOMON’S KNOT
This concert is followed by the Bath Bachfest Supper at The Bird, Bath (full details are on the opposite page).
THE RESTURANT AT THE BIRD, BATH
Peter Adamik
J S Bach
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2026
GUILDHALL
1.00pm – c.2.00pm
The Well-Tempered Clavier Books I & II (excerpts)
The young Finnish-Cuban pianist Anton Mejias (b. 2001) is a phenomenon. Fascinated by Bach from an early age, he learned the first book of the WellTempered Clavier by the age of 10, and has performed it extensively since then to great critical acclaim. His first album for Deutsche Gramophon – ‘The art of Memory’ – was released in March 2025 and features much of the music you will hear in this recital.
Tickets: £33 £23 £17
Box Office: 01225 463362
Event Code: BF2
Please note, doors to the venue will open at 12.00pm
Bath Bachfest Endowment Campaign
To help secure Bath Bachfest for future generations, we successfully launched an Endowment Campaign a few years ago, with a fundraising target of £200,000. We need your help to reach our goal and so if you would like to play an important role in underpinning this part of Bath’s musical heritage, please complete the I would like to make a donation to the Bath Bachfest Endowment Campaign section of the Booking Form on the inside back cover of this brochure, and send your donation (clearly marked Endowment Fund) with your ticket request to: Bath Box Office, The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG or visit www.bathbachfest.org.uk to donate to our fundraising campaign online.
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2026
ST MARY’S BATHWICK 7.00pm – c.9.00pm
Bachfest Ensemble
Stephen Waarts violin
Tim Crawford violin
Noga Shaham viola
Adrian Brendel cello
Handel
Purcell
J S Bach
Handel
Vivaldi
Handel
Please note, doors to the venue will open at 6.30pm
Nicholas Daniel oboe
Sergio Bucheli lute
Xiaowen Shang keyboards
Reginald Mobley countertenor
Violin Sonata in D major HWV 371
Music for a While; O Solitude
Ich habe genug BWV 82
Oboe Concerto in C minor
Trio Sonata in C major RV 60
Fammi combattere from Orlando
The opening performance by this year’s resident festival ensemble is bookended by Bach’s great contemporary, Handel. Handel’s rarely heard oboe concerto, performed by Nicholas Daniel, follows Bach’s famous cantata ‘Ich habe genug’, sung by star countertenor Reginald Mobley, who received a standing ovation at the 2025 BBC Proms.
Tickets: £42 £30 £17
Box Office: 01225 463362 Event Code: BF3
Concert sponsors needed, please see page 7 for details
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2026
ST MARY’S BATHWICK
9.30pm – c.10.30pm
Bachfest Ensemble
Tim Crawford violin
Noga Shaham viola
Adrian Brendel cello
J S Bach
FESTIVAL OFFER
Save £5 when booking both BF3 and BF4*
Please note, doors to the venue will open after the end of the previous concert
Goldberg Variations BWV 988 arr for string trio
Bach’s Goldberg variations need no introduction. The violinist Dmitri Sitkovetsky arranged the original keyboard version for string trio in 1985 to coincide with Bach’s 300th anniversary, dedicating it to Glenn Gould. The result is a wonderful reinvention of the piece through the lyrical beauty of the string instruments.
Tickets: £20 (unreserved seating)
Box Office: 01225 463362 Event Code: BF4
Concert supported by Elizabeth Bates
Jiyang Chen
ANTON MEJIAS
Anton Mejias piano
About the Bachfest Ensemble
I’m excited to introduce the specially-formed Bachfest Ensemble that will perform several times during Bath Bachfest 2026, allowing an opportunity for the audience to develop a deeper relationship with these very fine musicians.
Violinists Stephen Waarts and Tim Crawford are memorable past visitors to Bath Mozartfest while also specialising in Bach’s music; the young Berlin-based violist Noga Shaham has made a fantastic impression at the start of her career and has played regularly this season with leading orchestras including Berliner Philharmoniker; Sergio Bucheli and Xiaowen Shang are both in great demand as continuo players and they recently appeared together in a Nash Ensemble concert at London’s Wigmore Hall. Oboist Nicholas Daniel needs little introduction as one of the UK’s finest musicians, and I will be providing a bass line for the group with great pleasure!
Adrian Brendel,
Artistic Director
The Bachfest Ensemble
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2026
GUILDHALL
11.30am – c.1.15pm
Bachfest Ensemble
Handel
Rameau
Sinfonia from Esther
Suite in G major from Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin, RCT 6 (excerpts)
Couperin
Telemann
Telemann
Corelli
Les Nations: Quatrième order La Piémontoise
Fantasia No 1 in C minor & Fantasia No 3 in E minor for Viola de Gamba
Sonate Corellisante No 1 in F major TWV 42:F2
Trio sonata in G major Op 2 No 12
Keyboard works by Rameau will be performed by Bachfest Ensemble harpsichordist Xiaowen Shang in the Ensemble’s final concert, which allows the French and Italian baroque styles to take centre stage. Francois Couperin’s great chamber music masterpiece Les Nations showcases the French, whilst the concert will end with a shift to the Italian style of Arcangelo Corelli.
Tickets: £42 £30 £17
Box Office: 01225 463362
Event Code: BF5
Concert supported by John Whibley “Holidays with Music”
Get closer to the music at Bachfest 2026
We all love watching and listening to classical music, but few of us see the work that goes into the performances, and meet the musicians. This is your chance.
Every year Bath Bachfest brings the very best international musicians to the City, and we need sponsors for the first of our resident Bachfest Ensemble concerts on Friday 20 February at 7pm in the beautiful church of St Mary’s Bathwick. In return for £500, we will give two of you an unforgettable musical experience: the opportunity to attend the afternoon rehearsal, and really appreciate the interaction between the Ensemble. You’ll receive two best tickets for the concert, then have the chance to meet the players afterwards. Your contribution will also be acknowledged in the festival programme. This would be an ideal gift for a classical music fan who wants a more immersive experience at the Bachfest.
Please tick the Concert Sponsorship box on the Membership Form in this brochure or on the festival’s website, www.bathbachfest.org.uk, or for more details please call 01225 429750 or email: Jackie.inverdale@gmail.com
Stephen Waarts violin Tim Crawford violin
Noga Shaham viola
Adrian Brendel cello
Photographer credits: Adrian Brendel by Peter Adamik, Tim Crawford by Andrej Grilc, Nicholas Daniel by Eric Richmond, Reginald Mobley by Richard Dumas, Noga Shaham by Ettore Causa, Xiaowen Shang by Inis
Asano, Stephen Waarts by
SERGIO BUCHELI ADRIAN BRENDEL TIM CRAWFORD
NICHOLAS DANIEL
REGINALD MOBLEY
NOGA SHAHAM XIAOWEN SHANG STEPHEN WAARTS
Sergio Bucheli lute Xiaowen Shang harpsichord
Please note, doors to the venue will open at 10.30am
Matteis Jr
J S Bach
Guillemain
J S Bach
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2026
GUILDHALL
4.00pm – c.5.00pm
Stephen Waarts violin
Fantasia in A minor Alia Fantasia
Partita No 3 in E major BWV 1006
Amusement Op 18 (excerpts)
Sonata No 3 in C major BWV 1005
Please note, doors to the venue will open at 3.00pm
A frequent visitor to Bath Mozartfest, Dutch-American violinist Stephen Waarts has established a reputation as one of Europe’s finest young violinists. Equally at home in chamber music and solo repertoire, he has appeared with orchestras around Europe, in recital with Bach’s solo violin works, and as collaborator with the Nash Ensemble and many other prominent groups. He leads this year’s resident Bachfest Ensemble.
Tickets: £33 £23 £17
Box Office: 01225 463362
Event Code: BF6
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2026
BATH ABBEY
7.30pm – c.9.10pm
The Sixteen Choir & Orchestra
Harry Christophers conductor
J S Bach Gluck
Gluck
J S Bach
Cantata Dazu ist ershienen der Sohn Gottes BWV 40
Act 2 Orfeo ed Euridice
Ballo ultimo & Che faro senza Euridice? from Act 3, Orfeo ed Euridice
Lutheran Mass in F major BWV 233
The Sixteen’s concert in Bath Abbey is framed by Bach’s dramatic portrayal of man’s fight with the devil, and a Lutheran Mass featuring virtually no Lutheran material but made up of some of Bach’s favourite movements from his cantatas. In between we have two powerful works from Bach’s contemporary Gluck’s story of Orfeo descending into the underworld to rescue his wife Euridice. Beautiful and dramatic, this is Gluck’s masterpiece, and with the chorus to the fore it is the perfect vehicle for Harry Christopher’s peerless ensemble.
Tickets: £53 £40 £30 £17
Box Office: 01225 463362
Event Code: BF7
Concert supported by Elaine Marson
Please note, doors to the venue will open at 6.45pm
THE SIXTEEN
Amy Creates
Firedog
Andrej Grilc
STEPHEN WAARTS
Bath Bachfest Members
2026
Bath Bachfest relies on private donations and sponsorship and is only able to continue each year with support from its music lovers. You could help by becoming a Bath Bachfest member. Each year all members receive Priority Booking and an Acknowledgement of their support in the festival programme. There are three suggested membership levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
MEMBERS
Membership form
(Also available from our website: www.bathbachfest.org.uk)
Please tick appropriate boxes
Gold: £1,001+ Silver: £500+ Bronze: £100+ Donation
Concert Sponsor: £500 If you would like to support the Bath Bachfest concert on Friday 20 February at 7pm with the Bachfest Ensemble
Please tick if you would like details about legacies and bequests
How to pay
Please state the amount you are giving: £
Online: visit www.bathbachfest.org.uk and complete the appropriate form under the Support Us tab.
By phone: Bath Box Office 01225 463362, 10.00am – 5.00pm
Monday to Friday, closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cheques made payable to Bath Bachfest Ltd
If you wish to pay by Mastercard/Visa Credit or Debit, please tick the box below and supply a phone number where a member of the Box Office can contact you for your card details.
Telephone
MEMBERSHIP IS ANNUAL AND VALID FOR ONE FESTIVAL ONLY
Gold
Suggested donation
£1,001+ per person, per annum
Benefits:
• Highest Priority Booking (level 1)
• Acknowledgement of support as a Gold Member in the Bath Bachfest programme
• Invitation to a reception during Bath Bachfest 2026
• Admission to selected rehearsals (by request only)
• Complimentary Bath Bachfest programme
Silver
Suggested donation
£500+ per person, per annum
Benefits:
• Priority Booking (level 2)
• Acknowledgement of support as a Silver Member in the Bath Bachfest programme
• Admission to selected rehearsals (by request only)
• Complimentary Bath Bachfest programme
Bronze
Suggested donation £100+ per annum
Benefits:
• Priority Booking (level 3)
• Acknowledgement of support as a Bronze Member in the Bath Bachfest programme
• Complimentary Bath Bachfest programme
To become a Member please return the form opposite.
If you wish to pay by bank transfer:
Bank: HSBC Account Name: Bath Mozartfest T/A Bath Bachfest Sort Code: 400327 Account No. 12079925
Please make sure you reference your payment Name
Gift Aid
If you are a taxpayer Bath Bachfest, as part of the Bath Mozartfest registered charity, can reclaim the tax that you have paid and add it to your gift to make every donation worth even more to the Festival, at no extra cost to you.
(Please tick if you are in agreement)
I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to Bath Bachfest as part of Bath Mozartfest.
I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. Please notify the charity if you: a) want to cancel this declaration, b) change your name or home address, or c) no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains. If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.
Data protection (Please tick if you are in agreement)
I would like the information above to be stored by Bath Box Office, on behalf of Bath Bachfest, to keep me informed of the festival’s activities.
Thank you for supporting Bath Bachfest. Reg charity no. 1040455
Please send this form with your payment to Bath Box Office, The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG
Staying and eating in Bath
Dukes Bath
Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4DN
Tel: 01225 787960
Email: reservations@dukesbath.co.uk www.dukesbath.co.uk
Dukes invites you to stay at one of the city’s most prestigious addresses. This charming boutique hotel, with 17 exquisite bedrooms, spans two magnificent Georgian townhouses on Great Pulteney Street, one of England’s finest boulevards, just a five-minute walk from the heart of this World Heritage City. Renowned for exceptional service and a sensational breakfast, Dukes prides itself on its reputation for genuine hospitality and outstanding guest care, which are the cornerstones of this remarkable property.
Eight
3 North Parade Passage, Bath BA1 1NX
Tel: 01225 724111
Email: info@8inbath.co.uk www.eightinbath.co.uk
Welcome to Eight, a boutique hotel in the heart of Bath. Tucked away on North Parade Passage and overlooking the Abbey Green, just a few twists and turns from the Roman Baths, Eight is your own boutique bolthole. A place where you’ll instantly feel at home – relaxed, yet moments from all the must-see sights and some of the best dining and shopping venues the city has to offer. We have twenty bedrooms that effortlessly marry past and present. Each one has its own history and charms, yet all share the latest in the upto-the-minute creature comforts. As a small independent hotel, we pride ourselves in giving each and every guest our undivided attention. We are pleased to offer exclusive rates to guests attending the Bath Bachfest 2026. Please get in touch with us directly on the details above. We hope you will choose to stay with us this year and we thank you in advance for your support.
Hampton by Hilton Bath City
Avon Street, Bath BA1 1UP
Tel: 01225 967200
Email: reservations@hbhbath.com www.hilton.com/en/hotels/batumhx-hampton-bath-city
In the heart of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, our hotel offers the perfect city centre location, just a stone’s throw away for Baths top attractions including The Royal Cresent, Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa. Fuel your day with our complimentary breakfast and the hotel is close to Bath Spa Railway Station and offers discounted rate parking locally. Bristol Airport is 40 minutes away.
Pulteney House
14 Pulteney Road, Bath, BA2 4HA
Tel: 01225 460991
Email: pulteneyhouse@gmail.com
www.pulteneyhotel.co.uk
A large, elegant, Victorian townhouse set in its own picturesque gardens, a level 5-minute walk from the city centre and attractions. Onsite private, secure car park with CCTV and FREE Wi-Fi internet access. Self-catering units are also available.
The Bird, Bath
15 – 19 Pulteney Road, Bath BA2 4EZ
Tel: 01225 580438
Email: reservations@thebirdbath.co.uk
www.thebirdbath.co.uk
Tucked just off Great Pulteney Street, The Bird is a vibrant and stylish hotel offering breathtaking views of Bath Abbey and a short stroll from the city centre. At its heart is a standout culinary experience: the restaurant, located on the lower ground floor, is a hidden gem renowned for its irresistible menu crafted with locally-sourced ingredients. Whether you’re indulging in an elegant afternoon tea or sharing a selection of seasonal dishes, it’s the perfect place to gather with friends and family. Paired with bold interiors and a tranquil atmosphere, The Bird offers an unforgettable setting for relaxed yet refined dining.
The
Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa ★★★★
16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS
Tel: 01225 823333
Email: info@royalcrescent.co.uk
www.royalcrescent.co.uk
Nestled in the heart of historic Bath, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa epitomises luxury and sophistication. Set within John Wood the Younger’s iconic Georgian terrace, this five-star retreat offers impeccable service and meticulous attention to detail. Each of the 45 rooms and suites feature elegant design and most enjoy captivating views of either the hotel’s landscaped gardens or the sweeping lawn of the Royal Crescent. Dine at stylish Montagu’s Mews, where Head Chef Martin Blake showcases the finest seasonal ingredients across a wide choice of tasting menus. A more relaxed dining menu is also available featuring the same commitment to quality and the glamorous bar offers a creative cocktail list, while the heated outdoor terrace provides a tranquil spot to unwind overlooking our beautiful gardens. The Spa & Bath House is serene and restorative, complete with relaxation pool, sauna, and steam room. Our treatments and specialist therapies use the natural, sustainable GROUND product range, which has been carefully developed to support physical and emotional wellbeing.
Booking information
Bath Bachfest Members Priority Booking from:
Monday 1 December 2025: Gold Members (level 1)
Thursday 4 December 2025: Silver Members (level 2)
Thursday 11 December 2025: Bronze Members (level 3 )
General Booking from:
Tuesday 6 January 2026
How to Book
Booking form
(This form can also be accessed from our website: www.bathbachfest.org.uk)
PRIORITY BOOKING CAN BE MADE ONLINE, BY PHONE AND ALSO BY POST
Bookings can be made online/by phone/by post and in person. Bath Box Office, The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG Tel: 01225 463362 Email: info@bathboxoffice.org.uk Box Office website: bathboxoffice.org.uk
Please note: Bath Box Office will be manning phone lines during opening hours 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday (closed weekends).
Bath Box Office will be closed from Monday 22 December to Friday 2 January. Priority booking can only be made online during this period. These hours are correct at time of going to print. Please check for updated opening times.
All major credit and debit cards except AMEX accepted. All Box Office transactions are subject to a £1.50 Booking fee.
Delivery methods E-tickets are encouraged and can be displayed on a mobile phone or printed. Alternatively, tickets can be posted for £2.
Access We welcome all visitors with disabilities. Please advise our Box Office staff of your requirements when making a booking. For registered disabled patrons who need to bring a essential companion we offer one free ticket.
Young Person’s/Student discount Persons aged 20 or under and those with a valid student card are entitled to 50% off the full ticket price. Proof of eligibility will be required. Latecomers will be admitted only during a suitable pause in the concert.
Concert end times are approximate.
Seating plans are available at www.bathbachfest.org.uk Festival programmes are £6. Please order with your tickets. If ordering, a voucher will be emailed to you prior to the festival.
Concerts at St Mary’s Bathwick Please note St Mary’s Bathwick is a 12-minute walk from the city centre, and served by the U1 and U2 buses. There is some on-street parking nearby (free after 7pm). The Holburne Museum car park will be open for concert-goers until the end of the performances on the evenings of Thursday 19 & Friday 20 February.
Important
Tickets cannot be refunded. Tickets may be returned for sale at Bath Box Office only if the event is sold out. Resale cannot be guaranteed and a £2 charge per ticket will be made if successful. Any money will be refunded after Bath Bachfest.
details I enclose a cheque/P.O. (payable to Bath Box Office) for a maximum of £ . If you wish to pay by Mastercard/Visa Credit or Debit, please tick the box below and supply a phone number where a member of the Box Office can contact you for your card details. Please note that all Box Office transactions (counter, phone, post and web) are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
I would like to make a donation to the Bath Bachfest Endowment Campaign Gift Aid Festival programme £6, no. of vouchers: Box Office booking fee: £1.50 Ticket postage: £2 (If s.a.e. not enc.)
Facilities for the disabled Please discuss your requirements with the Bath Box Office staff who will be happy to advise you. TOTAL £ Please return this form with s.a.e. and your payment to: Bath Box Office, The Forum, BA1 1UG. Tel: 01225 463362 Email: info@bathboxoffice.org.uk
CONTACT PREFERENCES: I would like to receive contact by email from Bath Box Office I would like to receive communication from Bath Bachfest/Mozartfest I would like to receive the Bath Bachfest brochure I would like to receive the Bath Mozartfest brochure Please tick. We cannot contact you without your permission (General Data Protection Regulation 2018).
Acknowledgements
Bath Bachfest is managed by Bath Mozartfest Ltd
Directors of Bath Mozartfest Ltd:
Sir David Bell (Chairman) • Christine Allanson-Bailey
Nicola Isherwood • William Lacey • Richard Lovell
Trevor Osborne • Paul Roper
Professor Richard Wendorf • Lucy Woodroffe
Artistic Director: Adrian Brendel
Bath Bachfest Patron: Elizabeth Bates
Producer: Emma Cross
Email: emma@bathmozartfest.org.uk
Marketing & Development Director: Jackie Inverdale
Email: jackie.inverdale@gmail.com
Head of Communications: Julie Peacock
Email: julie@peacockpr.com
Accountant: Chris Jones
Email: christopher@bathmozartfest.org.uk
Brochure design & production: Bamboo House Publishing Ltd
All details were correct at the time of going to press. Bath Bachfest reserves the right to change artists and programmes if necessary.
Bath Mozartfest registered charity number: 1040455
Bath Mozartfest office: 4 Queen Street, Bath BA1 1HE Tel: 01225 429750
Bath Box Office: The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG Tel: 01225 463362