Grand Tour of Europe and Beyond
June 21-28, 2020: cancelled due to COVID-19
It is with great sadness that we have taken the regrettable, but necessary, decision to cancel the 40th Baroque Music Festival in June.
This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but it has been taken for the safety of our supporters and performers. Many governmental and scientific sources indicate that the large crowds we typically enjoy during the Festival will remain unadvisable, perhaps even unallowable, for considerable time to come. In addition, there is no indication at present that our wonderful venues will be open again in June, making it impossible to plan ahead with any certainty.
If you have purchased tickets or subscriptions for our 2020 June Festival:
Consider donating the value of your purchase back to the Festival in return for a tax-deductible receipt for your contribution. This will help us, and our musicians, to ensure the future of the Festival. We have recently implemented a performers’ compensation fund, so that every one of the 55 musicians involved in the 40th season receives a generous partial reimbursement for lost fees. Your donation will reinforce that plan. Alternatively, please contact us to request a full refund of your ticket purchase.
How to donate your tickets or request a refund:
Contact us by email or leave a phone message. Contact details are here.
If you have not purchased tickets for the 2020 Festival, but would like to make a donation to our performers’ compensation fund:
Ways to give are detailed on our 2020 Support page.
We will provide updates, in future, as circumstances evolve. Please consider joining our mailing list to stay informed, if you haven’t already.
Cancelled 2020 Festival information:
Grand Tour of Europe and Beyond
Sunday, June 21, 2020 at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, 4 p.m.
Music of the Hemispheres
Vivaldi’s violin concerto Il Grosso Mogul, Telemann’s Les Nations, and suites from Purcell’s The Indian Queen and Rameau’s Les Indes Galantes. Featuring the Festival Orchestra led by artistic director and violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock.
Monday, June 22, 2020 at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Corona del Mar, 8 p.m.
Fiesta! Festive Music from Spain and the New World
Guests Stephen Stubbs (Baroque guitar) and Henry Lebedinsky (harpsichord) direct Spanish Baroque zarzuela opera scenes, music from the Americas, Iberian Baroque dances and more. With sopranos Danielle Sampson and Amanda Achen, mezzo-soprano Gabriela Flores, Baroque dancer Justin Coates, violinists Elizabeth Blumenstock and Tekla Cunningham, cellist David Morris, Baroque harpist Maxine Eilander and percussionist Peter Maund.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Sherman Library & Gardens, Corona del Mar, 8 p.m.
Baroque Folk: Dancing in the Gardens
A lighthearted tour of early folk music from the British Isles, continental Europe and North America, including popular songs, ballads, and dance music, directed by Elizabeth Blumenstock on fiddle. With Karen R. Clark (contralto), Alexandra Opsahl (cornetto and recorders), Curtis Berak (hurdy-gurdy), Maxine Eilander (harp), Stephen Stubbs (Baroque guitar), Jolianne Einem (violin), Rob Diggins (viola and percussion) and Heather Vorwerck (cello).
Friday, June 26, 2020 at Sherman Library & Gardens, Corona del Mar, 8 p.m.
Concertos All Around
This season our favored “Friday Gardens” players combine with a chamber ensemble of additional strings in a special program of solo concertos by Benda, Platti, Umstatt, Vivaldi and Bach. Plus Telemann’s Triple Concerto in E Major for flute, oboe d’amore, and viola d’amore. With concerto soloists David Shostac (flute), Lara Wickes (oboe), Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin), Michael Kaufman (cello) and Gabriel Arregui (harpsichord).
Sunday, June 28, 2020 at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, 4 p.m.
Finale: Ode to Music
Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major and celebratory choral works paying homage to music itself: Purcell’s Welcome to All the Pleasures and Handel’s Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day. Featuring soprano Sherezade Panthaki and tenor Kyle Stegall with the 2020 Festival Orchestra and Chorus.
Concerts are preceded by brass music performed al fresco by South Coast Brass and followed by a wine & waters reception. Before the performances, and during intermission, explore our special 40th-season display of Festival memorabilia.
