This October, Boston Baroque brings together Ferrandini, Rameau, Bach, and Handel in one sweeping program. Discover the fascinating stories behind the music—and get everything you need to know before experiencing it live.

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J.S. BACH

Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42

This cantata, written just after Easter in 1725, is the only one in its cycle to begin with a purely instrumental sinfonia. Unique in that cycle, it begins with an extended instrumental sinfonia, setting a reflective tone before the voices enter.

What you’ll hear: A bright, uplifting orchestral opening full of energy and joy—Bach at his most welcoming.

FERRANDINI

Il pianto di Maria

Once attributed to Handel, this striking sacred cantata was reattributed in the 1990s to Venetian composer Giovanni Battista Ferrandini, who spent much of his career at the Bavarian court in Munich. A child prodigy, he joined the court orchestra as an oboist at the age of 12 and rose to the role of chamber composer, eventually becoming Director of Chamber Music.

What you’ll hear: Simple, restrained vocal lines paired with orchestral writing that surges with anguish and color—the strings often “speak” the deepest emotions.

RAMEAU

Suite from Les Boréades

Rameau composed Les Boréades in 1763, but despite reaching rehearsal, the opera was never staged in his lifetime. Scholars have speculated that political tensions, censorship, or even a fire at the Paris Opéra may have halted the production, and the work finally received its first fully staged performance in 1982.

What you’ll hear: A kaleidoscope of French Baroque orchestral color!

HANDEL

Water Music Suite in F Major

Few premieres in music history are as legendary as Handel’s Water Music. First performed in 1717 on a barge along the Thames for King George I, it was such a success that the king demanded it be repeated several times over the course of the evening’s royal river journey.

What you’ll hear: Majestic, buoyant dances designed for celebration. Perfect for making modern listeners smile.