Bach's Coffeehouse:
Café Zimmerman
Sunday, November 8, 2026, 4pm
Café Zimmermann, or Zimmermannsches Kaffeehaus, was the coffeehouse of the Leipzig businessman Gottfried Zimmermann. This institution formed the backdrop for the first performances of many of Bach's secular cantatas, and instrumental works. It was the largest and best-known Kaffeehaus in Leipzig and a social center for the middle classes and gentlemen. While women were barred from social visits to the coffeehouses, they could still attend the public concerts at Zimmermann's.
One story of the four-and-a-half-story Baroque building consisted of two adjoining rooms, one approximately 26 ft × 33 ft; the other approximately 18 ft × 33 ft. Though often joined, either could accommodate chamber concerts. Unfortunately, the building it was destroyed during an Allied air raid on Leipzig in December 1943.
Beginning in 1720 the café hosted the Collegium Musicum founded by Georg Philipp Telemann at that time a law student. Later, between 1729 and 1741 the concerts were directed by Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert repertory generally consisted of German and Italian opera arias, chamber music, secular cantatas, and works for orchestra. Zimmermann charged the organizations no fee for hosting their concerts, nor were the audience charged a fee His expenses were repaid by sales of coffee. The concerts ended with Zimmermann's death in 1741.
Mountainside Baroque will be a re-imagining of one of the likely concerts. Included in the MBQ concert will be Joseph Yeugen and Marc Bellassai, featured on Bach’s Concerto for two Harpsichords (likely originally performed by JS Bach and one of his sons. Also included will be music of Vivaldi and vocal music performed by soprano Brooke Evans.
Coffee and other treats will be offered for sale by Café Mark.