KAFFEEHAUS

2026 Toronto Bach Festival - Experience Bach as his audiences once did, in a casual and lively coffeehouse setting.

KAFFEEHAUS

Saturday, May 23rd

Two Performances:

• 4 PM - Sold out!
• 8 PM

Church of the Holy Trinity (19 Trinity Square)

DIRECTED BY JOHN ABBERGER

We will reconvene in Zimmermann’s Kafe to enjoy one of Bach’s great secular cantatas, Hercules at the Crossroads, written for the birthday of the 11 year old Friedrich Christian, son of the Elector of Saxony. Never one to waste his best efforts, Bach re-purposed much of the music in this cantata when he wrote the more well-known Christmas Oratorio of 1734. The laid-back atmosphere of our Kaffeehaus will allow you to experience this sparkling work in a setting much like that of its premier performance - shows always sell out!

The Kaffeehaus is proudly produced with the support of the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council, and funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario.

FEATURING

R.H. Thomson, as Herr Zimmermann
Sherezade Panthaki, soprano
Nicholas Burns, alto
Asitha Tennekoon, tenor
Martin Gomes, bass
The Toronto Bach Festival Orchestra

With Special Guests
Students from the Collegium Musicum, University of Toronto

PROGRAMME TO INCLUDE

Hercules at the Crossroads, BWV 213

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VENUE INFORMATION

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY | 19 Trinity Square, Toronto, ON
Located just east of Bay St beside the Marriott Hotel and behind the Eaton Centre, a short walk from both Dundas Station and Queen Station (TTC). The accessible entrance is on the south side of the church opposite Trattoria Mercatto restaurant.

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Events are subject to availability. All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges. Programming, artists, schedule, and pricing are subject to change without notice or compensation.