Marla Lowen gets goose bumps just thinking about it.
Lowen, the Oregon Bach Festival artistic administrator, is referring to the July 5 performance of Brahms’ Ein Deuthches Requiem, which will feature 150 vocalists performing with the Festival Orchestra.
“The anticipation of knowing all of these high school students will have this experience just gives me goose bumps all over,” she said.
The Brahms Requiem is only one of many major musical and vocal events during this week’s 32nd annual Oregon Bach Festival, which continues this week and wraps up July 8.
This year’s festival includes classical delights, choral voices and informational workshops all wrapped into the “Seasons of Life” theme. Verdi, Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and Brahms are only a few of the composers featured during the two-week festival, according to the festival’s Web site.
The festival began June 22 with a tribute to the 100th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s death. Helmuth Rilling, the artistic director and founder of the event, conducted the Messa per Rossini, a collaboration by Verdi and 12 other composers.
Rilling, along with the Festival Chorus and Orchestra, will conclude the festival with a performance of Verdi’s Requiem.
But this year’s event will also feature a major name in the contemporary world. Festival Executive Director Royce Saltzman, along with a sold-out audience, will be treated to a performance by Bobby McFerrin on Friday.
“Bobby McFerrin has the ability to bridge the gap between pop and classical music by emphasizing the younger audience,” Saltzman said.
Sold-out performances aren’t new to McFerrin. The New York native performed for a sold-out crowd during the 1993 Bach Festival. His talent has also allowed him to travel and work with acclaimed actors and artists such as Bill Cosby, Robin Williams and Herbie Hancock.
McFerrin is known for mingling through a variety of musical genres. His passion for pop earned him chart-topping status in 1988 with his single “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” During the 1990s he transferred his skills into classical music with the release of his record “Medicine Man,” and he was later a part of the Boston Pops.
McFerrin will also host a vocal workshop specifically aimed at high school teachers and students on Friday. The workshops are an important element of the Bach Festival’s success that should not be overlooked, Lowen said.
“The Bach Festival began as a conducting workshop, and it is still important to remain close to that mission,” she said.
Last Saturday featured two short “kid-length” musicals by Dr. Seuss, and there are still many workshops to enjoy throughout the duration of the festival.
With magnificent classical works being performed to sold-out venues, Lowen said that this year’s festival is going beautifully.
“Success from the Bach Festival isn’t only due to the amount of tickets sold, but rather how everyone is able to share the beautiful festival experience,” Lowen said.
Even though the festival is almost half over, the public can still catch a number of major events. For more ticket information on events or workshops, visit oregonbachfestival.com or call 682-5000.