Emmanuel Music was founded in 1970 by Craig Smith to perform the complete cycle of over 200 sacred cantatas of J.S. Bach in the liturgical setting for which they were intended, an endeavor twice completed and a tradition which continues today. Over the years, Emmanuel Music has garnered critical and popular acclaim through its presentations of large-scale and operatic works by Bach, Handel, Schubert, and Mozart as well as its in-depth exploration of the chamber music of composers like Schumann, Debussy, Brahms, and Schubert. One of the most unique aspects of Emmanuel performances is their selection of vocal and instrumental soloists from a corps of musicians who have long been associated with the group. Emmanuel Music has given rise to renowned musicians at the local, national, and international level; its long-standing association with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison has also yielded a wealth of creative artistry. Ground-breaking collaborations with leading visionaries among the other arts, including choreographer Mark Morris and stage director Peter Sellars, have become a hallmark of Emmanuel's innovative programming.