On April 12, 2026, the Basílica de San Miguel in Madrid will host the concert Bach Universe, a programme presented as part of the International Festival of Sacred Art of the Community of Madrid, bringing together conductor José Antonio Montaño, his period-instrument orchestra La Madrileña, and soprano María Espada.
The Bach Universe programme offers a journey through some of the most significant vocal and instrumental works by Johann Sebastian Bach. The vocal core of the concert consists of two solo cantatas of striking expressive contrast: the Italian secular cantata Non sa che sia dolore, BWV 209, and Mein Herze schwimmt in Blut, BWV 199, one of the most intense works in Bach’s catalogue.
Soprano María Espada, one of Spain’s leading interpreters in the field of early music, will perform as soloist in both cantatas. Espada has previously collaborated successfully with José Antonio Montaño and La Madrileña on several occasions. In Non sa che sia dolore, flautist Antonio Campillo also takes part.
The instrumental dimension of the programme is completed by two of Bach’s concertos. The Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041, will be performed by Maxim Kosinov, concertmaster of La Madrileña, while the Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor, BWV 1060R, will feature Rodrigo Gutiérrez on oboe alongside Kosinov as soloists.