Festival International Bach Montréal

What Festival International Bach Montréal does

Festival International Bach Montréal is a Canadian non-profit cultural organization founded in 2005 by musicologist Alexandra Scheibler, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It produces an annual three-week classical music festival held November–December, dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach and related Baroque composers, featuring 125 international and local artists performing 19 concerts across 16 venues in Montreal and Quebec City. The festival operates a resident orchestra and choir (created 2018), a free Off-Bach side festival (launched 2019), and a family-oriented Bach Incognito concert, with additional events such as the free Nuit des Choeurs and organ concerts at Saint Joseph's Oratory.

The organization runs a small core team of 10 employees supported by 50+ volunteers, and is funded through a hybrid revenue model: ticketed concert sales ($25–$175 per ticket, with a 15% multi-concert discount for 3+ purchases), tax-deductible donations, corporate sponsorships led by presenting sponsor Canimex Group (2025–2026), and government cultural grants from Canadian Heritage, SODEC, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal. Distribution combines direct ticket sales via TuxedoBillet on festivalbachmontreal.com, phone orders, on-site box office, and channel partnerships with Place des Arts, OSM, and Bourgie Hall. The organization also operates a streaming platform at canadaclassique.com and a YouTube channel for digital content delivery.

Strategic positioning is built on a 20-year brand track record, the founder's international credentials (German Order of Merit 2019, Canadian Governor General's Decoration 2024), an addressable repertoire of 1,100+ Bach works, and access to Grammy-level and internationally renowned artists (Sir András Schiff, Augustin Hadelich, Chris Thile, Vox Luminis, AKAMUS Berlin). In 2025 the organization officially rebranded to add 'International' to its name, and the 2026 edition marks its 20th anniversary, with expanded programming and a recurring multi-year presenting sponsor.

Name

Festival International Bach Montréal

Legal name

Festival International Bach Montréal

Website

https://festivalbachmontreal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Festival International Bach Montréal is a non-profit founded in 2005 that produces an annual three-week classical music festival in Montreal and Quebec City dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring 125 international and local artists across 16 venues and serving ticket-buying enthusiasts, families, and donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Classical Music Festival

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Festival Organizers & Promoters (MPAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural & Community Festivals (Ticketed) (THAJAFAI)

Keywords

• Classical music festival
• Baroque concert programming
• Choral music events
• Chamber orchestra concerts
• Live music performances

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from concert tickets across multiple price points ranging from $25-$175 per event
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted with receipts for amounts over $20 CAD
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Presenting sponsor (Canimex Group) and multiple corporate sponsors at various levels

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Festival International Bach Montréal produces an annual three-week classical music festival in Montreal and Quebec City dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach and related Baroque composers. The festival features approximately 19 ticketed concerts at 16 venues performed by 125 international and local artists, alongside 25 free community events including the Off-Bach side festival, family concerts, choral events, and organ concerts. Revenue is generated from ticket sales, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

The Festival International Bach Montréal is a music festival offering, not a technology product. Its portfolio consists of the main three-week festival featuring ticketed concerts by internationally renowned artists and ensembles, the free Off-Bach side festival, and the resident Orchestra and Choir performing at opening and closing events. Additional offerings include the family-oriented Bach Incognito concert, the annual Nuit des Choeurs choral event, and free organ concerts at Saint Joseph's Oratory. The festival also offers volunteer opportunities and donation mechanisms for public support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Off-Bach: An entirely free side festival launched in 2019, offering classical music experiences outside the traditional concert setting, including recitals, rehearsals, impromptu performances, and discussions.
• Orchestre et Choeur du Festival International Bach Montréal

Products and services

• Festival International Bach Montr\u00e9al (Annual Festival) Annual three-week classical music festival dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach and related Baroque composers, featuring approximately 19 ticketed concerts performed by 125 international and local artists across 16 venues in Montreal and Quebec City. Targeted at classical music enthusiasts, families, and the general public.
• Off-Bach Festival Free side festival offering recitals, rehearsals, impromptu performances, discussions, and social gatherings at 3487 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal, designed to make classical music accessible to a wider audience outside the traditional concert setting.
• Orchestre et Choeur du Festival International Bach Montr\u00e9al (OCFIBM) Resident festival orchestra and choir ensemble formed annually, comprising professional musicians primarily from major orchestras including the Orchestre symphonique de Montr\u00e9al (OSM), performing at the opening and closing concerts under internationally renowned conductors.
• Bach Incognito Family Concert Family-friendly theatrical concert experience featuring an actor-harpsichordist portraying Bach himself, combining narrative storytelling with live performances of signature works and rare pieces to bring the composer's life to audiences ages 8 to 88.
• Nuit des Choeurs Annual choral event featuring some of Montreal's best choirs performing together, offered free of charge as part of the festival's accessibility mission.
• Organ Concerts at Saint Joseph's Oratory Free Sunday afternoon organ concerts held at the Basilica of Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, featuring organists performing works inspired by Bach and French composers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sold-out performances at major venues including Bourgie Hall and churches
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Canimex GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Presenting sponsor of the 2025 and 2026 editions of the festival. Logo prominently displayed on all festival materials and website.
• Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative performances including Kent Nagano conducting Christmas Oratorio; OSM logo featured as partner
• Bourgie Hall / Musée des Beaux-Arts de MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcert venue partner hosting multiple festival performances including piano duo concerts
• Patrimoine Canada / Canadian HeritagecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal government cultural funding partner supporting festival operations
• Conseil des arts de MontréalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal arts council providing funding support for Montreal cultural festivals
• Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerQuebec cultural development corporation supporting arts and culture
• Tourisme MontréalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity tourism board promoting Montreal events to visitors
• Palais MontcalmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec City concert hall hosting opening concert and other performances
• German Consulate General MontrealminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiplomatic representation supporting cultural exchange

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Festival d'été de Québec: Major Quebec City summer music festival featuring diverse genres. Comparable as a major Quebec-based cultural festival sharing the same institutional funding ecosystem and Quebec audience, though broader in genre and operating in a different season.

Broad incumbents

• Tanglewood Music Festival (BSO): Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer festival at Tanglewood. Comparable as a major North American classical music festival with institutional backing, multiple venues, and educational programming - though broader in repertoire and much larger in scale.
• Salzburg Festival: One of the world's premier annual music and drama festivals held in Salzburg, Austria. Comparable as an internationally renowned summer classical arts festival with multi-week programming, orchestral productions, and strong institutional partnerships - though significantly larger in scale and broader in scope.

Direct peers

• Handel and Haydn Society: Boston-based Baroque and classical music performance organization founded in 1815. Comparable as a long-standing North American institution programming Bach and Baroque repertoire with a resident orchestra/choir and ticketed concert series.
• Festival de Lanaudière: Quebec-based classical music festival held annually in Joliette, Lanaudière. Direct peer as a Canadian classical music festival serving the same regional market with comparable ticketed concert programming and institutional funding model.
• Bachfest Leipzig: The world's most prominent Bach-focused international music festival held annually in Leipzig, Germany (Bach's home city). Direct peer as both organizations curate and program Bach's complete works across multi-week festival editions, attracting international artists and audiences.
• Oregon Bach Festival: University of Oregon-based annual Bach festival in Eugene, Oregon, founded by Helmuth Rilling. Direct peer in Bach-specific programming with comparable concert-and-education formats and a resident choir/orchestra structure.
• Carmel Bach Festival: California-based annual Bach festival held in Carmel-by-the-Sea since 1935. Direct peer in Bach-focused repertoire curation, multi-week format, and blend of professional orchestra with community engagement activities.
• Boston Early Music Festival: North American festival dedicated to early and Baroque music, held biennially in Boston. Comparable as a peer in the early/Baroque music festival space, with a similar model of professional performances, educational programs, and ticketed concert series.

Emerging players

• Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra: Lincoln Center's classical music festival featuring chamber and orchestral performances. Comparable as a multi-week summer classical music festival with ticketed programming, though broader in repertoire than the Bach-specific focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0Ps7fA8RwA83QAbWb6r7GQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/140775617812
• Instagraminstagram.com/bachfestmontreal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/festival-bach-de-montreal-montreal-bach-festival

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Festival International Bach Montréal