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About the Artist

2026 Featured Composer & Curator

 

Angélica Negrón is a Puerto Rican–born composer and multi-instrumentalist. She writes music for voices, orchestras, ensembles, and film as well as robots, toys, and plants.  Negrón is known for playing with the unexpected intersection of classical and electronic music, unusual instruments, and found sounds.

Premieres during the 2025/26 season include a cello concerto to be performed by Yo-Yo Ma and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, and a requiem for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Recent commissions include works for Opera Philadelphia (a drag opera film in collaboration with Matthew Placek and Sasha Velour), the New York Philharmonic, the Seattle Symphony, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, the New York Botanical Garden, Kronos Quartet, Roomful of Teeth, and her Carnegie Hall debut, commissioned and performed by Sō Percussion. As a guest curator for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella series, under the creative direction of John Adams,  Negrón brings together collaborators Lido Pimienta, Darian Donovan Thomas, and Raquel Acevedo Klein, and she continues to develop a multidisciplinary work as a Lincoln Center Collider Fellow. As the recipient of the 2022 Hermitage Greenfield Prize, Negrón composed a work synchronized to the setting sun for ensembleNewSRQ.

Negrón’s original scores include the HBO docuseries Menudo: Forever Young and the documentary You Were My First Boyfriend by filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo.  Negrón regularly performs solo shows and is a founding member of the tropical electronic band Balún. She has been a teaching artist with the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program and with Lincoln Center Education.

Negrón lives in Brooklyn, where she’s always looking for ways to incorporate her love of drag, comedy, and the natural world into her work.

Watch & Listen

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‘Soul’ Between the Notes: Grete Pedersen on Historical Performance.

Grete Pedersen sat down (or went on a beach walk!) with music critic, Thomas May, for an interview for Early Music America. Click the button below to read the full article.

"I want to understand how any music was first played and what the composer intended. In that sense, all music is contemporary. Period instruments have more ‘soul’ between the notes" -Grete Pedersen

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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Soloists

The Festival is honored to welcome four gifted soloists for the 2025 season: Clara Rottsolk, soprano; Guadalupe Paz, mezzo-soprano; Brian Giebler, tenor; and Dashon Burton, bass-baritone.

Main Concerts

Saturdays, July 12 and July 19 at 7:30PM

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Stravinsky – Pulcinella Suite, Haydn – "Harmoniemesse"

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor

The Carmel Bach Festival’s 2025 theme, Dialogues, is beautifully expressed through this program, which explores connections across time, culture, and artistic expression. Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite, originally composed for a ballet, will be performed with projections of Pablo Picasso's set design sketches for the piece.

Sundays, July 13 and July 20 at 3:00PM

Bach’s Mass in B Minor

J.S. Bach – Mass in B minor

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, is a landmark of Western classical music and a profound example of his compositional artistry. This work, often described as Bach’s “cathedral in sound,” reflects not only his devout faith but also a vision of music as a universal language.

Mondays, July 14 and July 21 at 7:30PM

Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven

J.S. Bach – Ricercar a Six, Haydn – Harpsichord Concerto in D major, and Beethoven – Symphony No. 1 in C major

Conducted by Peter Hanson, Concertmaster. Soloist, Andrew Arthur, harpsichord.

Monday evening’s program offers a rich tapestry of musical voices, presenting works by Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven that explore the art of innovation and transformation.

Tuesdays, July 15 and July 22 at 7:30PM

Mozart Requiem

Mozart – Solemn Vespers for A Confessor, Mozart – Requiem, and Peteris Vasks’ Dona nobis pacem (Grant Us Peace)

Conducted by Andrew Megil, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities

The Tuesday evening program is centered around Mozart’s Requiem, K. 626, his final, unfinished masterpiece. Left incomplete at the time of his death, the Requiem is both a deeply personal reflection and a timeless communal expression of mourning and hope.

Wednesdays, July 16 and July 23 at 8:30PM

Reflections – At the Carmel Mission

Bach, Byrd, Allegri, and contemporary works inspired by them

Conducted by Andrew Megill, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities

Wednesday night’s program, set in the serene and historic Carmel Mission, explores centuries of choral music that embodies spiritual reflection, human fragility, and the quest for transcendence. The sacred space enhances the program’s theme, providing a fitting backdrop for works that bridge past and present, faith and artistry.

Thursdays, July 17 and July 24 at 7:30PM

Nordic Folklore

Scandinavian Traditions in Song featuring the Nyckelharpa

Edwin Huizinga and William Coulter invite you to join them for a captivating evening of folklore inspired by the rich musical traditions of Scandinavia, featuring nyckelharpa player Olov Johannson.

Fridays, July 18 and July 25 at 7:30PM

Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony

Mozart – Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter,” Jessie Montgomery – Starburst, and Schumann – Concerto for Cello

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. Soloist, Paul Dwyer, Cello.

Friday night opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst, a vibrant work inspired by the imagery of rapidly shifting constellations, and culminates in Mozart’s final Symphony No. 41 in C major, “Jupiter,” whose nickname reflects the work’s majestic character, evoking the commanding presence of the Roman god.

Saturday, July 26 at 7:30PM

Closing Night

Best of the Fest

Favorite selections from the Festival are performed in this closing night concert that celebrates music, Carmel, the musicians of the Bach Festival, and the Festival’s loyal patrons. The program is a sampler of musician and audience favorites from throughout the two-week Festival, and is followed by a celebratory reception on the Sunset Center Terrace, toasting the conclusion of the 88th Festival.

Pre-Festival Concerts and Events

Saturday, May 3 from 11:00AM - 3:00PM

Cottages, Gardens, and Cantatas

Cottages, Gardens, and Cantatas, the Carmel Bach Festival's home tour, invites you to experience the charm of five unique homes in Carmel. Each home offers something special, from a cozy "treehouse" overlooking Pescadero Canyon, filled with artifacts and artwork collected over six decades, to a beautifully remodeled childhood home.

These homes are located on the North side of Ocean Avenue and into the Carmel Woods. Three of the homes are within walking distance of each other along scenic trails and streets, while the other two require a short drive.

In the Stacks

In the Stacks is a free community concert series bringing the beauty of live classical music into libraries throughout the Monterey Peninsula. This season, the festival is thrilled to offer three pre-festival sessions in early July.

Featuring intimate performances by wind and string ensembles, these concerts offer a unique opportunity to experience world-class music up close in a relaxed setting. Seating is provided—come and enjoy an inspiring musical escape among the books!

Thursday, July 10 at 7:00PM | Sunset Center Theater

Movie Night - Amadeus (1984)

Join us at the Sunset Center for a special, free screening of Amadeus (1984), the Academy Award-winning masterpiece that brings Mozart’s genius and rivalry with Salieri to life.

Chamber Concerts

Chamber music is often referred to as the "conversation of instruments," where each performer has a distinct voice, and together they create a rich, intricate dialogue. Our musicians carefully curate these programs, creating a deep, personal connection to the works they perform.

Sundays, July 13 and July 20 at 7:30PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Ahead of Her Time – Candlelight Concert

This program brings together the works of Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Jessie Montgomery, and J.S. Bach—four composers united by their innovative spirit.

Mondays, July 14 and July 21 at 11:00AM | Carmel Mission

All Bach Organ Recital

Enjoy an afternoon of Bach’s organ music in the historic Carmel Mission Basilica. Performed by Andrew Arthur, Principal Keyboardist and Director of Twilight in the Cathedral, this recital highlights the beauty of Bach’s works.

Mondays, July 14 and July 21 at 3:00PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Meet the Composer: Isabella Leonarda

This year, we are spotlighting Isabella Leonarda, an extraordinary 17th-century composer who defied expectations as a nun to become one of the most prolific female composers of her time. Known for her intricate and expressive sacred works, Leonarda’s music is rich with emotional depth and masterful counterpoint.

Tuesdays, July 15 and 22 at 3:00PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Timeless Inspirations

In Honor of Allen Whear
The concert features pieces that mirror and reflect one another, from Bach’s Contrapunctus No. 6 to quartets by Haydn, Siremen, and Mozart. Each work echoes elements of the others, highlighting the interconnectedness of these composers and how their influences shaped their pursuit of musical mastery.

Wednesdays, July 16 and 23 at 5:00PM | Church in the Forest

Schubert's Death and the Maiden

Death and the Maiden is one of Franz Schubert’s most gripping and emotional works, written during a time of personal turmoil. Through its dramatic contrasts, haunting melodies, and moments of tenderness, the quartet captures the tension between fear and acceptance, making it a profound meditation on mortality and the human condition.

Thursdays, July 24 at 5:00PM | San Carlos Cathedral

Twilight in the Cathedral

Featuring the timeless works of Rosenmüller, Handel, Bach, and Corelli, this program captures the elegance and spirituality of Baroque music in the serene beauty of the San Carlos Cathedral.

Fridays, July 18 and 25 at 3:00PM | All Saints' Episcopal Church

Fear & Hope

In this powerful program, Bach’s Cantata: Selin ist der Mann (BWV 57) and Cantata: Erfeut euch, ihr Herzen (BWV 66) explore the emotional extremes of fear and hope—human vulnerability and resilience—showcasing Bach’s ability to capture the deepest aspects of the human experience.

Foyer Concerts

Hosted in the Foyer of the Sunset Center, these concerts are the most intimate in the Festival’s lineup, offering a rare opportunity to hear world-class music up close. Tickets for these performances historically sell out quickly.

Mondays, July 14 and July 21 at 1:30PM

Cello and Company

Works from Haydn, Rossini, Rebecca Clarke, Jesse Montgomery, Beethoven, and Mozart

Tuesdays, July 15 and July 22 at 1:30PM

Comparing & Contrasting Legacies

Works from J.S. Bach, C.P.E Bach, and Telemann

Wednesdays, July 16 and July 23 at 1:30PM

Baroque Lute Masterpieces

Works from J.S. Bach/Weiss, Robert de Visée, Silvius Leopold Weiss, and Bernhard Joachim Hagen

Thursday, July 17 and July 24 at 1:30PM

Melodic Conversations

Works from Franz Schubert and Bernhard Henrique Cruss

Fridays, July 18 and July 25 at 1:30PM

The Need for Dialogue

Works from Jessie Montgomery, Reza Vali, Idin Samimi Mofakhan, and J.S. Bach

Studio 105

Experience the magic of classical music like never before in our Studio 105 performances. These unique concerts will feature a theatrical element, transforming each concert into a small play that brings the music to life in new, captivating ways. Immerse yourself in the innovative fusion of storytelling and sound, offering a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond the traditional concert format.

Saturday, July 19 at 2:00PM

The Crown of Creativity

The Legacy of the Legendary Queen Christina | Explore the life of Queen Christina of Sweden, a fascinating figure of the 17th century, famous for her bold decision to abdicate the throne and known as a passionate patron of the arts.

Saturday, July 26 at 2:00PM

Deal with the Devil

Igor Stravinsky: The Soldier's Tale | The Faust legend comes to life in this narrated performance of temptation and consequence.

Free Community Concerts and Events

Education Programs

 

The Epic Adventures of Leonard & Rasmus: A Whale of a Time!

Saturday, July 19 at 11:00AM

Join Leonard & Rasmus in this interactive family concert as they explore whales and sea life in the ocean off Monterey Bay. Suitable for ages 3+, a perfect multigenerational experience.

Young Artists Showcase

Saturday, June 28 at 3:00PM

The Young Artists’ Showcase features outstanding student musicians from the Central Coast. The Showcase allows young musicians to audition for their chance to perform at Best of the Fest, the festival's closing night concert.

Baroque & Classical Academy Showcase

Friday, July 25 at 1:00PM

The Baroque & Classical Academy (BCA), under the direction of violinist Edwin Huizinga, selects four outstanding string musicians to participate in a series of free public masterclasses in style and interpretation. The special Showcase Concert is free, but requires a ticket.

Virginia Best Adams Showcase

Saturday, July 26 at 1:00PM

The Virginia Best Adams Masterclass (VBA), under the direction of Michael Beattie, selects four vocal musicians from hundreds of international applications. These artists join the Festival and study with principal artists, participating in six public Masterclasses that are open to the public. This special Showcase Concert is free, but requires a ticket.

Community Concert

 

Salinas Community Concert

Thursday, July 24 at 7:00PM

The Community Concert at Cypress Community Church is a free, one-hour concert featuring CBF chamber ensembles with a casual, relaxed setting. A short reception follows to meet and greet!

Tower Music

Tower Music is a cherished tradition at the Bach Festival that began in 1936 with the Heralding Trombones, led for 25 years by Monterey grocer Chandler Stewart and then his son Gordon Stewart. Tower Music is a free community event, open to the public.

• Saturday, July 12 at 6:45PM | Sunset Center Terrace
• Tuesday, July 15 at 6:45PM | Carmel Mission Courtyard
• Wednesday, July 16 at 7:45PM | Sunset Center Terrace
• Friday, July 18 at 6:45PM | Sunset Center Terrace
• Saturday, July 19 at 6:45PM | Sunset Center Terrace
• Tuesday, July 22 at 6:45PM | Sunset Center Terrace
• Wednesday, July 23 at 7:45PM | Carmel Mission Courtyard
• Friday, July 25 at 6:45PM | Sunset Center Terrace

Ticket Info

• VIP Early Access ticket sales opened Monday, March 3 — an exclusive perk for festival supporters
• General Public ticket sales open Monday, March 17
• Discounted Early Bird pricing is available on all ticket and package sales through June 1
• Four packages are available this season (see details below)
• Discounted ticket prices are available for students, active and retired military, and children
• Browse the season and purchase tickets at www.bachfestival.org

Season Packages

All Access Pass (Early Bird - $1,100, After June 1 $1,250)

Save 20% compared to regular-priced tickets | The All Access Pass gives you entry to all Festival concerts from either Week 1 or Week 2, along with exclusive perks designed for the ultimate Festival experience.
 

Carmel Chamber Pass (Early Bird - $450, After June 1 - $500)

Save 20% compared to regular-priced tickets | Carmel Chamber Pass grants you access to all Festival concerts outside the main stage from Sunday through Saturday, along with special perks to enhance your experience.
 

The Bach Pass ($650)

Save 10% compared to regular-priced tickets | The Bach Pass is your ticket to the heart of the Festival, offering Tier 1 access to any performance that features the music of J.S. Bach.
 

Three-Day All Access Pass (Tier 1 - $450, Tier 2 - $400)

Save up to 20% compared to regular-priced tickets | The Three-Day All Access Pass gives you the flexibility to enjoy any three consecutive days of world-class music at the Festival.

Find full package details at bachfestival.org/season-packages

The post Announcing the 88th Season of the Carmel Bach Festival, “Dialogues” appeared first on Carmel Bach Festival.

“This generous gift is a testament to the truly remarkable Carmel Bach Festival community,” says Executive Director Nathan Lutz. Board President, Cyril Yansouni notes, “It represents an investment in the long-term sustainability of the Festival and a beautiful, enduring reminder of our deep and unique connections with our musicians, our volunteers, and our patrons.”

The funds will be applied as a very significant supplement to grow the Festival Endowment’s “Founders Fund,” which was established in 2017 to secure the long-term financial success of the Festival and to promote our artistic excellence. Monterey Peninsula philanthropist Roberta Bialek Elliott seeded the Founders Fund with a transformational donation of $2.3 million in honor of Festival creators Dene Denny and Hazel Watrous, and of the outstanding women who have had a significant impact on the Carmel Bach Festival. The establishment of the Founders Fund marked our 80th anniversary.

Now in its 87th season, the Carmel Bach Festival continues to delight audiences of all ages during two weeks in July in which we bring together extraordinarily talented musicians from around the world to present a remarkable and diverse range of major concerts and more intimate recitals throughout the Monterey Peninsula. Tickets are still available at bachfestival.org for this year’s stunning series celebrating the passions and the transformational influence of J.S. Bach.

The post The Carmel Bach Festival Receives $500,000 Anonymous Gift appeared first on Carmel Bach Festival.

Season Info

Soloists

Soloists

The Festival is honored to welcome five gifted soloists for the 2024 season: Clara Rottsolk, soprano; Abigail Nims, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Staples, tenor; Dashon Burton, bass-baritone; Eric Lu, piano.

Nims was previously a participant in the Virginia Best Adams Masterclass. The Festival is delighted to welcome her as a first-time soloist alongside newcomer Andrew Staples.

Main Concerts

Saturdays, July 13 and July 20 at 7:30PM

The St. John: A Global Passion

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
A touching and powerful program featuring J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion in celebration of its 300th anniversary—the first “big” Bach work to be conducted by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Grete Pedersen at this Festival.

Sundays, July 14 and July 21 at 7:30PM

Beethoven Nine: Be Embraced 

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
During this Sunday evening program, Festival musicians embark on a meditative study beginning with Anton Bruckner’s Locus iste—an exploration of the sanctity of place—followed by the sounds of silence in John Cage’s 4′33″ and culminating with Beethoven’s triumphant Symphony No. 9.

Mondays, July 15 and July 22 at 7:30PM

Timespan

Conducted by Peter Hanson, Concertmaster
A delightful program including Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter, Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, charming works by Rameau in the French Baroque style, and more.

Tuesdays, July 16 and July 23 at 5:00PM 

Arvo Pärt’s Passio: A Modern Passion

Conducted by Andrew Megil, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities
An intimate performance of Arvo Pärt’s Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem at Monterey First Presbyterian Church.

Tuesdays, July 16 and July 23 at 7:30PM

Dreams & Idylls

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
An evening of engaging, timeless melodies, including music from Bernstein’s West Side Story, Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 for soprano and orchestra, Haydn‘s Symphony No. 49, “La Passione,” and Mozart arias from The Magic Flute.

Wednesdays, July 17 and July 24 at 8:30PM

Bach’s Library

Conducted by Andrew Megill, Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities
A program of excerpts from Vivaldi, Lotti, and Zelenka, along with To the Hands by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw at the beautiful Carmel Mission Basilica, with the traditional procession by candlelight.

Thursdays, July 18 and July 25 at 7:30PM

Across the Sea – A Celtic Journey

Enjoy a Celtic journey on Thursday nights with the music of Bach and traditional Irish music performed by Fire & Grace (Edwin Huizinga, violin; William Coulter, guitar) and guests Maeve Gilchrist, harp; Brian Finnegan, irish whistles and flute; and Andrew Megill, tenor.

Fridays, July 19 and July 26 at 7:30PM

These Worlds in Us: Grieg, Mazzoli, & Beethoven

Conducted by Grete Pedersen, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
A concert of blockbusters: Grieg’s Piano Concerto, one of the most popular works of its kind with melodies and rhythms inspired by traditional Norwegian folk music, Missy Mazzoli’s These Worlds In Us, and Beethoven’s legendary Symphony No. 5.

Chamber Concerts

This year’s chamber concert programs explore the many “Passions” of Bach and Beyond, with concerts spanning an exciting array of configurations, including the Festival’s traditional All Bach organ recitals, romantic solo piano recitals, emotionally expressive string quartets, passionate opera arias, and more.

Pre-Festival Concerts

Friday, July 5 at 7:00PM, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

First Fridays in Pacific Grove

Take a break and go inside the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Listen to great chamber music for flute, cello, and harp as you explore the various exhibits. Seating will be provided for this 1-hour concert.

*This event is sponsored by the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

Wednesday, July 10 at 4:00PM, Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel

In the Stacks

Browse the Harrison Memorial Library stacks and enjoy our woodwind trio (flute, clarinet, and bassoon) as they play music by Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Muczynski, and Devienne.

Thursday, July 11 at 7:30PM, First Presbyterian Church of Monterey

Shakespeare in Song

Enjoy Serenade to Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Shakespeare Songs by Matthew Harris, Three Madrigals by Emma Lou Diemer, and George Shearing’s Music to Hear.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 3:00PM

Fresh Tradition: Sacred and Profrane

Mondays, July 15 and 22 | Music that connects us—this “sacred and profane” recital opens with a transcendent solo work and slowly progresses from spirit to human through fantasy, farce, and passion.

Patient Passion

Tuesdays, July 16 and 23 | True passion requires patience and this program explores patient passion and how it has been translated into music.

Cantatas and Lamentations

Wednesdays, July 17 and 24 | This one-to-a-part cantata series features the Festival soloists as the vocal consort performing the Trauerode, BWV 198 by Bach, and Lamentations of Jeremiah by Zelenka.

Allen Whear Memorial Concert

Thursday, July 18 | The string quartet explores the theme of passions on an intimate scale, presenting diverse works with a wide emotional range.

Meet the Composer: Lili Boulanger

Fridays, July 19 and 26 | Take a stroll through the chamber music of French composer Lili Boulanger.

Longing: Messages of Peace, Hope, and Love

Saturdays, July 20 and 27 | The program features the music and voice of Jonathan Woody and explores the relationship between spoken language and musical language, particularly through the lens of the human experience of longing.

Sunset Center Foyer, 1:30PM

Class of ’85

Mondays, July 15 and 22 | The stars aligned in 1685 when three towering geniuses were born that year—J.S. Bach, George F. Handel, & Domenico Scarlatti. This concert celebrates their stellar careers.

Italian Modern

Tuesdays, July 16 and 23 | This program is a celebration of the originality and inventiveness of Italian art. Music by Castello, Sciarrino, Fontana, Marini, and Leonarda.

Cello and Company II

Wednesdays, July 17 and 24 | Music of passion, virtuosity, and excitement through the centuries that brings out the expressive and soloistic ranges of the violin, viola, and cello in a chamber music setting.

Plucked and Bowed: Trios for Harp and Strings

Thursdays, July 18 and 25 | This eclectic program represents a variety of music and styles, featuring composers Henriette Renie, Germaine Tailleferre, Lou Harrison, and Joubert.

The Little Match Girl Passion

Fridays, July 19 and 26 | David Lang’s Little Match Girl Passion is a modern, minimalist, and deeply moving interpretation of the Passion story from a secular perspective. This work is Lang’s response to Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.

Sunset Center Theater

An Afternoon with Eric Lu

Sunday, July 21 at 2:00PM | Eric Lu, winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition, presents a recital in the Sunset Center Theater.

Wind Divas: Stolen from the Opera Stage

Saturday, July 27 at 11:00AM | Continuing the Harmoniemusik tradition, enjoy a night at the opera! Be enchanted with beloved opera arias—filled with passion and revenge—in a unique and intimate setting.

Carmel Mission Basilica

All Bach Organ Recital

Mondays, July 15 and 22 | Join Andrew Arthur, Principal Keyboard and Director of the Twilight in the Cathedral concert, for an organ recital.

Church of the Wayfarer, 3:00PM

Allen Whear Memorial Concert

Thursdays, July 25 | The string quartet explores the theme of passions on an intimate scale, presenting diverse works with a wide emotional range.

Church in the Forest, 5:00PM

Quartets in the Forest

Wednesdays, July 17 and 24 | An evening of string quartet featuring Janácek’s “Kreutzer Sonata” and Beethoven’s Quartet for Strings in Bb Major.

San Carlos Cathedral, 5:00PM

Twilight in the Cathedral

Thursdays, July 18 and 25 | This concert is a beloved tradition at the Festival led by Andrew Arthur.

Cypress Community Church, 7:00PM

Community Concert: Bach’s Back!

Thursday, July 25 | Enjoy listening to Festival chamber ensembles in this 1-hour concert that is a beloved part of our community engagement. This free community concert is suitable for the entire family!

Education Programs

The Epic Adventures of Leonard & Rasmus: Myths, Legends & Heroes

Saturday, July 20 at 11:00AM
FAMILY CONCERT | Join Leonard & Rasmus as they explore the world of mythology, legends, and heroes from around the world through music in this interactive family concert.

Young Artists’ Showcase

Saturday, July 27 at 2:00PM
The Young Artists’ Showcase features outstanding student musicians from the Central Coast.

Baroque and Classical Academy Showcase

Friday, July 26 at 1:00PM
The Baroque & Classical Academy Showcase Concert at Carmel Presbyterian Church. Throughout the month of July, selected musicisns (Ela Kodżas, violin and viola; Annemarie Schubert, violin and viola; Eliana Estrada, violin; and Luka Stefanović) will participate in a series of free public masterclasses and receive private lessons and chamber music coaching, culminating in a Showcase concert.

Virginia Best Adams Masterclass Showcase

Saturday, July 27 at 1:00 PM
The Virginia Best Adams Masterclass is a training program for Baroque vocalists led by Michael Beattie. This year’s musicians (Addy Sterret, soprano; Slyvia Leith, alto; Blake Beckemeyer, tenor; Jason Augustus Rober, bass) will participate in six public masterclasses followed by their showcase performance of Baroque Masterpieces with Festival Orchestra musicians.

Ticket Info

Ticket Info

• Discounted ticket prices are available for students, active and retired military, and children.
• Tickets are on sale now at www.bachfestival.org
• Most Main Concerts will be presented without intermission and run about 75 minutes.

The post The 87th Season of the Carmel Bach Festival Celebrates the “Passions” of Bach and Beyond appeared first on Carmel Bach Festival.

“The gift left by the Emile Norman Charitable Trust is a testament to the power of music and, more specifically, the power of J.S. Bach,” says Executive Director Nathan Lutz. “This gift helps ensure the financial sustainability of the Carmel Bach Festival for many years to come.”

Emile Norman was a prolific sculptor and an aesthete gallery owner who called the beautiful Big Sur mountaintop home. He and his partner, Brooks Clement, attended their first Bach Festival concert in 1946, marking the beginning of an impactful and devoted relationship. Throughout his decades of patronage of the Carmel Bach Festival, Emile attended countless rehearsals and concerts—resplendent in his all-purple outfits, including purple high tops—even serving as a Festival board member.

When he passed in 2009, he left instructions for his Trustee to reward the Carmel Bach Festival for the continuing joy that it brings to our communities, year after year. The Carmel Bach Festival accepts this gift with deep gratitude and reverence for his enduring legacy and support for the arts in our region.

The post The Carmel Bach Festival Receives Sizable Gift from the Emile Norman Charitable Trust appeared first on Carmel Bach Festival.

The post Steve Friedlander Celebration of Life appeared first on Carmel Bach Festival.

“We are delighted to welcome Nathan Lutz as the Carmel Bach Festival’s new Executive Director,” said Board President Cyrill Yansouni. “With his range of experience as a performing arts leader and his ‘people first’ approach to management, his unique skill set ensures a bright future for the Carmel Bach Festival.”

“I am honored to join the Carmel Bach Festival,” expressed Lutz, “I look forward to working with the board, musicians, and administration. I am especially excited to support the artistic leadership of Grete Pederson and Andrew Megill. Building on decades of musical excellence, we will raise the national profile of the Festival and plan the next chapter of this unique and historical organization.”
Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Grete Pedersen echoed Lutz’s sentiment, saying, “I am thrilled and very excited to start the collaboration with Nathan Lutz. I trust he will be a leader who steadily moves our Festival forward in an excellent way. I truly believe the search committee has made a great choice.”

Lutz has served as the Director of Operations and Education Programs at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the past seven years, where he was responsible for a $10 million artistic operations budget, managing the orchestra and concert production, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, overseeing the music education department, planning the youth and family concert series, and more. Previously, he was Assistant Personnel Manager for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and a Double Bass Fellow for the New World Symphony in Miami.

Lutz is thrilled to call the Monterey Peninsula his new home and shared that joining the Carmel Bach Festival team is a special, full-circle moment for him. “The Carmel Bach Festival has been in my life since childhood as my double bass teacher, Derek Weller, has been a dedicated member of the orchestra for almost thirty years,” shared Lutz. “As a student, I grew up hearing about the incredible music-making that happens every summer in Carmel.”

Lutz succeeds our longtime Executive Director, Steve Friedlander, who passed away earlier this year. We are proud to acknowledge the work of our leadership team, Lauren Gutierrez-Brown, General Manager, and Suzanne Mudge, Director of Development and Community Engagement, throughout this transition.

The post Welcoming Our New Executive Director, Nathan Lutz! appeared first on Carmel Bach Festival.