Festive Cantatas Christmas Concert

Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificat are joyful Christmas concerts presented by Early Music Vancouver at UBC and in West Vancouver in December.

The concerts are with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra which is accompanied by a number of special guest singers. If you have ever been to the Vancouver Bach Festival in the summer, you’ll already be familiar with the orchestra and Early Music Vancouver (EMV) and know that you’ll be in for a real treat! (Note: In 2023 the Vancouver Bach Festival was renamed the Vancouver Summer Festival.)

In 2022 the concerts happen on December 17th in West Vancouver and on December 18th at the Chan Centre at UBC. See below to learn more.

For tickets and full details about the performances visit the Early Music Vancouver website.

Bach Magnificat Concerts in Metro Vancouver

Early Music Vancouver’s 53rd season of events is underway in 2022. There are four different series of concerts to enjoy between September of this year and May of next year, including a special Christmas-themed production in December.

Part of the Masterworks Series: BACH Before and Beyond, the Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificant concert is a joyful performance that’s perfect for the holiday season. The Bach composition is a score to Magnificant, Virgin Mary’s song of praise at the beginning of her pregnancy. The piece was originally created for Christmas in 1725. Since that time the masterpiece has become a musical traditional for the holiday season.

The uplifting production features the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, directed by Alexander Weimann. Performers at the concert in 2022 include Hélène Brunet, Arwen Myers, Krisztina Szabó, Jacques-Olivier Chartier, Sumner Thompson and more.

Show Dates and Locations

The Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificant concerts run on the weekend of December 17th and 18th in 2022, but at different times and locations each day.

On the Saturday beginning at 7:30 pm, the show is at the Kay Meek Arts Centre. The venue is located at 1700 Mathers Avenue in West Vancouver.

On the Sunday the concert starts at 3:00 pm. It takes place at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia at 6265 Crescent Road in the City of Vancouver.

Festive Cantatas Christmas Concert in Vancouver

Admission Prices

Tickets for the December 17th show in West Vancouver can be purchased online through the Kay Meek Arts Centre‘s website. General admission costs $75. Seniors ages 65 and above save $3 and students with ID can get in for just $29 each.

TIP: With the West Vancouver performance, the Kay Meek Centre has a Black Friday sale which runs from November 25th until the day of their concert. Tickets with the Black Friday discount cost just $59 if you use the promo code FESTIVE!

Admission to attend the Sunday concert at the Chan Centre ranges from about $36 up to $75. Tickets furthest away from the stage are the least expensive. With the Sunday tickets at the UBC venue, there are also special discounted seats including the following:

Young Adult Tickets: patrons ages 35 and under get a 35% discount off full-priced tickets.
Student Rush Tickets: subject to availability (i.e., unless the concert sells out), single tickets are available at the door on the night of the concert for just $10 for students with valid student ID.
Tickets for Indigenous Peoples: in the spirit of reconciliation and to honour the natural stewards of the lands, Early Music Vancouver offers free tickets to all Indigenous peoples. These tickets can only be obtained by calling the Box Office at 604-732-1610.
Bring a Youth for Free: children ages 17 and under can attend EMV concerts for free when accompanied by an adult who has a full-priced ticket.

For tickets to the concerts visit the Early Music Vancouver website.

About EMV

Early Music Vancouver (EMV) is a performing arts organization that has been putting together shows in Metro Vancouver for over 50 years. There are usually about 40 different EMV concerts and events to enjoy each year, many of which feature artists and composers from around the world.

EMV is also the organization behind the Vancouver Summer Festival which was formerly called the Vancouver Bach Festival and is an exceptional series of concerts that runs in the summer. Playing at many of Early Music Vancouver’s productions is the Pacific Baroque Orchestra which is really good.