Bach in the Dark is a time when you can be ‘in the moment’ with the performers. It’s a time when you can forget about the phone bill, or the shopping, or the dire state of Australian politics and simply listen.

The concerts run for just over an hour. They are deliberately informal – each piece is introduced, so there’s no need to look at your program. There is no dress code, no rule about when to clap, no rule about how you are meant to ‘be’ as you are listening (just don’t unwrap sweets when the musicians are playing – it’s louder than you think!).

Every venue is dark. Some venues are cold in winter, so you’ll need to wrap up warm (especially the tunnel). If the concert is in a church (or a crypt), most seating is on pews – so you might want to bring a cushion.

The players will be fabulous. The music will be varied and wonderful. The wine will be delicious. Enjoy!

As I write this, in November 2019, the line-up for the Sydney concerts for 2020 has been finalised and all tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday December 6, 2019.

There are two concerts in the Coal Loader Tunnel – one marking the start or the year, and one celebrating the new wine sponsor for the series and all things cello!

There are four concerts in the crypt of St James – starting with a new face for ‘Bach in the Dark’, bassist Benjamin Ward. Be prepared for a night enjoying all things written in the bass clef! For the second concerts I am joined by audience favourites Janet and Raffaele Agostino on classical guitars – a beautiful combination I know many of you love. For the concerts in August, dear friend Anthony Schulz is bringing his huge accordion and extraordinary talents to Sydney for three nights that will be full of fun and colour. And I’ll finish the year with the lovely Genevieve Lang on harp – another crowd favourite (and one of mine too!).

There are various concerts around regional NSW – in Katoomba with generous hosts Robyn and Terry Nolan of ‘nolan on lovel’ gallery’, in Singleton, Bathurst – and more venues will be added to the list of concerts as they are confirmed.

The tickets for the St James concerts sold out very quickly in 2019, and there’ll be no extra performances added at any venues – so I suggest you book in quickly when the tickets go on sale. Lots of beautiful music, lots of inspiring artists having a great time on stage and responding in the moment.

I hope to see you at a concert – come up and say hello! Here’s to 2020!