top of page

THE BACH FESTIVAL IN LEIPZIG

with Joe Marchio

June 4 - 19, 2023

Bachfest_schwarz (002).jpg
BAch image.jpg

This trip has really captivated me since October of 2019, when I visited Leipzig to have a look-see in preparation for the BachFest 2020, which, of course, never happened. Leipzig has captivated Joe Marchio for even longer: Leipzig was the European epicenter of music, the Paris of Germany, with Bach, Mendelssohn and Wagner all living there at different times and with the famous poets Goethe and Schiller (the Ode to Joy guy) writing in town. Leipzig still remains very prominent on the music scene with the Gewandhaus and its Kapellmeister Andris Nelsons and the incredibly musically active Sankt Thomas Kirche, where Bach was once Kapellmeister.

Sankt Thomas.jpg

We will fly into Berlin’s Brandenburg airport, be chauffeur- bussed to Leipzig’s Innside Melia hotel (Hotel Innside Leipzig, stylish 4-star hotel in Leipzig | Melia.com), where we will stay for the full 10 nights. The Innside is directly across a (busy) road from the Sankt Thomas Kirche, where we will spend lots of time. There should be, therefore, no excuse to be late for concerts there; be forewarned that the doors will be locked after the concert begins.

Ten days in Leipzig will give us ample time to get to know the very walkable town and experience its intriguing alleys and markets. We’ll visit the Bach and Mendelssohn museums, as well as the Grassi Museum complex. Free time will let you explore the fine art museum or the zoo or return to the Bach or Mendelssohn museums to delve deeper into their offerings.

IMG_5171.JPG
wartburg-erkerblick-nestler-5a9c19ac.jpg

One day, when the concert schedule allows, we will take the train to Eisenach, where Bach was born and schooled and where Luther holed up in the Wartburg castle to translate the

Bible into German – and to escape persecution from the Catholic Church. Richard Wagner also stayed in the Thuringian town for a while, where his Tannhaeuser opera gathered in his mind. We’ll have a musical tour there, lunch at the castle and then have free time before training back to Leipzig in the early evening.

And of course, we will indulge our senses with splendid music, thanks to the Bach Festival. We’ll hear the gamut of Bach’s known work: sonatas, cello suites, passions, masses, cantatas, motets, fugues, partitas and organ music (sometimes in the Sankt Thomas Kirche where Bach worked for so many years).

IMG_5099.JPG

We will balance all this heady culture with good food, beer and wine. We can walk all those calories off in the botanical gardens or parks in town.

HOSTS

JOE MARCHIO

joe pix.jpg

Joe Marchio will be guiding us through the music aspects of this trip. Bach ranks in the top three of Joe’s favorite composers, both for voice and organ. Joe Marchio has degrees from the College of Wooster, (organ performance and religious studies). Yale University Institute of Sacred Music (Master of Divinity), and from the Boston Conservatory (Master of Music in choral conducting).

Joe became Music Director of the Chatham Chorale in 2010. He is also the Pastor and Director of Music of the First Congregational Church of Chatham. During covid-times, Joe has been a mainstay of our Armchair Journeys, teaching us about Women Composers, Music & Architecture, Great Composers and a set of Bach series, and a primer to Music Theory.

JOAN HILL

joan_hill.jpg

In 2008, the seed of Artful Journeys was planted in her brain, when Joan brought together all of her life's passions, her love of music, an affinity for the beautiful things in life, and an ability to organize events to give birth to Artful Journeys, a program of art education trips for the soul.

Joan was born and raised in the apple country of the Hudson River Valley in New York; her father was a gentle, very tolerant, educated land surveyor, and her mother was the efficient business administrator and home engineer. The youngest of four children, Joan was encouraged to pursue anything she wanted, but also to do her best. Sometimes that was difficult, especially succeeding three very accomplished siblings.

JOURNEY DETAILS

The cost of the 10-day trip is $5500, double occupancy, which includes accommodation, most meals, museum entry and tour fees, approximately 10 concerts, transportation in Germany, teacher and admin fees. Single supplement is $275.

Airfare is not included, so that you can use travel points or extend your visit. Travel insurance is strongly advised.  The covid vaccination and booster are required.   Masks must be worn in public places.

You can REGISTER HERE.

Please note that PayPal remittances must go through the form on this website.  Thank you.

bottom of page