Monday, March 9
Elizabeth Blumenstock and Elaine Thornburgh
“High Baroque Fashion” Violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock and harpsichordist Elaine Thornburgh perform a grand tour of the baroque, with music by Leclair, Boccherini, Pisendel, Veracini, Duphly and Seixas.
7:30 PM
Memorial Church
450 Serra Mall, Stanford University
General $15, Senior $10, Student $10, Stanford Students (w/ ID) FREE
Tickets at the door
Wednesday, March 11
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Rachel Podger, Leader and Violin Soloist
Violin virtuosa Rachel Podger returns to Philharmonia to lead this program of Antonio Vivaldi’s most popular works from L’estro armonico, Op. 3 (including the Concerto for 4 Violins No. 4 in E minor, RV 550; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 8 in A minor, RV 522; Concerto for 2 Violins and Cello No. 11 in D minor, RV 565; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 2 in G minor, RV 578; and Concerto for 4 Violins No. 10 in B minor, RV 580) and La cetra, Op. 9 (including Concerto for Violin No. 12 in B minor, RV 391; and Concerto for 2 Violins No. 9 in B-flat major, RV 530). Also on the program, from La stravaganza, Op. 4, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin in D minor, RV 249. Podger leads the orchestra with warmth and verve-as well as a generous helping of the dazzling technique which makes her a sought-after soloist the world over. Savor the shimmering textures, exquisite dissonances, and thrilling high-speed passages which make Vivaldi among the most beloved of baroque composers. John Prescott will give a prelude lecture 45 minutes before every concert.
7:30 PM
Bing Concert Hall
327 Lasuen St., Stanford
$30–$95
650-724-2464, Sold out. Waiting list for released tickets
Thursday, March 12
Berkeley Baroque Strings
Entitled “Storms and Tempests,” this concert features the works of Locke, Marais, Rameau, Vivaldi and Vericini. Led by Kati Kyme, the Berkeley Baroque Strings is a SFEMS Affiliate ensemble of dedicated adult players. Admission is free, although donations are accepted.
7:30 PM
Palache Hall, St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
2837 Claremont Blvd., Berkeley
Free admission, donations accepted
Contact
Friday, March 13
Junior Bach Festival
62nd annual Junior Bach Festival opens. The Junior Bach Festival is dedicated to touching young lives by promoting the study and performance of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Presented annually about the time of Bach’s birthday, March 21, the Festival features in concert some of the finest young musical talent in California (ages 6 to 18), chosen by audition. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 Seniors, $5 for students 12 and under, except where noted. More concert details at www.juniorbach.org. Performances are scheduled the weekends of March 13–15 and March 20–22. Ten concerts (all different) at venues around the Bay Area feature young people performing works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
7:30 PM
Crowden Music Center
1475 Rose Street, Berkeley
925-837-1683, [email protected], or www.juniorbach.org.
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Rachel Podger, Leader and Violin Soloist
Violin virtuosa Rachel Podger returns to Philharmonia to lead this program of Antonio Vivaldi’s most popular works from L’estro armonico, Op. 3 (including the Concerto for 4 Violins No. 4 in E minor, RV 550; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 8 in A minor, RV 522; Concerto for 2 Violins and Cello No. 11 in D minor, RV 565; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 2 in G minor, RV 578; and Concerto for 4 Violins No. 10 in B minor, RV 580) and La cetra, Op. 9 (including Concerto for Violin No. 12 in B minor, RV 391; and Concerto for 2 Violins No. 9 in B-flat major, RV 530). Also on the program, from La stravaganza, Op. 4, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin in D minor, RV 249. Podger leads the orchestra with warmth and verve-as well as a generous helping of the dazzling technique which makes her a sought-after soloist the world over. Savor the shimmering textures, exquisite dissonances, and thrilling high-speed passages which make Vivaldi among the most beloved of baroque composers. John Prescott will give a prelude lecture 45 minutes before every concert.
8PM
Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center
201 Franklin St., San Francisco
$25–$100
510-642-9988, tickets
Sonoma Bach
“The Food of Love: Music for Shakepseare” The Baltimore Consort presents music of the Elizabethan era, with songs and dances from Shakespeare’s plays. Soprano Danielle Svonavec sings some of the greatest hits from the Bard’s songbook, including “It Was a Lover and his Lass,” “Full Fathom Five,” “Where the Bee Sucks,” and “The Willow Song,” and The Baltimore Consort plays dances using their exquisite consort of instruments: lute, cittern, viols, and flute.
8 PM BachGrounder at 7:25 PM
First Church of Christ Scientist
522 “B” Street, Petaluma
$22/$20/$14
Tickets
South Bay Recorder Society
Members’ Night. Bring instruments and music stand.
7:30–10 PM
First Congregational Church of San Jose
1980 Hamilton Ave (at Leigh), San Jose
408-358-0878 or [email protected]
Saturday, March 14
Ars Minerva
La Cleopatra (modern world premiere) Daniele da Castrovillari’s opera, written for Venice’s carnival, has been lost in the archives of Venice’s Biblioteca Marciana since its 1662 premiere at the Teatro San Angelo. It bears the name of the femme fatale whose legend has been recounted by everyone from Plutarch to Burton and Taylor. But those who anticipate yet another version of that famed tragedy should brace themselves for a hefty dose of the unexpected. Castrovillari and his librettist Giacomo dall’Angelo conjure up a lively salmagundi of romance, jealousy, skullduggery, sensuality, comedy, political catastrophe and attempted murder, climaxing in a surprise ending that is entirely in the spirit of Carnevale. With Céline Ricci as Cleopatra, Randall Scotting as Marc Antonio, Nell Snaidas as Ottavia, Jennifer Ellis Kampani as Coriaspe, Molly Mahoney as Arsinoe, Michael Desnoyers as Filenia, Igor Viera as Clisterno, Spencer Dodd as Dolabella / Arante, Xavier Rivera as Augusto, and James Hogan as Domitio. Semi-staged production sung in Italian with English supertitles.
7:30 PM
Marines Memorial Theater
609 Sutter Street, San Francisco
$55–$96
Tickets online or 415-392-4400
[email protected]
Junior Bach Festival
62nd annual Junior Bach Festival continues. The Junior Bach Festival is dedicated to touching young lives by promoting the study and performance of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Presented annually about the time of Bach’s birthday, March 21, the Festival features in concert some of the finest young musical talent in California (ages 6 to 18), chosen by audition. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 Seniors, $5 for students 12 and under, except where noted. More concert details at www.juniorbach.org. Performances are scheduled the weekends of March 13–15 and March 20–22. Ten concerts (all different) at venues around the Bay Area feature young people performing works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
2 PM and 7:30 PM concerts
Christ Episcopal Church
815 Portola Road, Portola Valley
925-837-1683, [email protected], or www.juniorbach.org.
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Rachel Podger, Leader and Violin Soloist
Violin virtuosa Rachel Podger returns to Philharmonia to lead this program of Antonio Vivaldi’s most popular works from L’estro armonico, Op. 3 (including the Concerto for 4 Violins No. 4 in E minor, RV 550; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 8 in A minor, RV 522; Concerto for 2 Violins and Cello No. 11 in D minor, RV 565; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 2 in G minor, RV 578; and Concerto for 4 Violins No. 10 in B minor, RV 580) and La cetra, Op. 9 (including Concerto for Violin No. 12 in B minor, RV 391; and Concerto for 2 Violins No. 9 in B-flat major, RV 530). Also on the program, from La stravaganza, Op. 4, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin in D minor, RV 249. Podger leads the orchestra with warmth and verve-as well as a generous helping of the dazzling technique which makes her a sought-after soloist the world over. Savor the shimmering textures, exquisite dissonances, and thrilling high-speed passages which make Vivaldi among the most beloved of baroque composers. John Prescott will give a prelude lecture 45 minutes before every concert.
8 PM
First Congregational Church
$25–$100
2345 Channing Way (entrance near Dana and Durant Sts.), Berkeley
510-642-9988, tickets
San Francisco Renaissance Voices
“Merrie Olde England: English Country Dances & Madrigals” Spring of 2012 marked the beginning of our dance troupe, the San Francisco Renaissance Dancers. Under the guidance of Dance Director Jennifer Meller, our dancers have flourished and become an integral part of each season’s concert offerings, as well as performing as guest artists throughout the Bay Area, including a recent appearance in Marin Baroque’s production of John Blow’s Venus and Adonis. In our March 2015 program they delight us with popular dances from Merrie Olde England, accompanied by elegant instrumental music played on period instruments and madrigals composed by some our favorite British composers exquisitely sung by a quintet of our singers, including selections from our 2007 madrigals concert, “The Regina Monologues.”
7:30 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
$30/$25/$15
Tickets
Santa Cruz Baroque Festival
“Treasures From the Age of Shakespeare” SCBF’s 42nd Season, “Treasures from The Birth of the Baroque,” continues with a program featuring The Baltimore Consort performing Heavenly harmony and earthly delights from the time of the bard. Also the grand prize winning group from our Youth Chamber Music Competition.
7:30 PM
UC Santa Cruz Recital Hall
Meyer Drive, UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz.
$23/$17/$6/$3 ($3 parking charge)
Tickets, 831-457-9693 or www.scbaroque.org
Singers’ Retreat
Weekend workshop for singers, studying and performing works of Renaissance polyphony. Dr. William Mahrt will direct singers in Tomás Luis de Victoria’s Missa Quam pulchri sunt and other works and give mini-lectures on the composers and repertory. Continuous snack table included.
9 AM Saturday through 5:30 PM Sunday
San Francisco Theological Seminary
105 Seminary Rd., San Anselmo
$125 (accommodations & dinner optional).
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED (deadline: March 1). 510-848-5591, 510-778-3253, [email protected] or [email protected]
Viola da Gamba Society/Pacifica Chapter
Monthly viol consort playing with guest coach Loren Ludwig. Players of all levels welcome. Newcomers please phone ahead.
9 AM–3 PM
Hillside Church
1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
RSVP. Please email or phone ahead.
[email protected], 831-420-1618
Sunday, March 15
Ars Minerva
La Cleopatra (modern world premiere) Daniele da Castrovillari’s opera, written for Venice’s carnival, has been lost in the archives of Venice’s Biblioteca Marciana since its 1662 premiere at the Teatro San Angelo. It bears the name of the femme fatale whose legend has been recounted by everyone from Plutarch to Burton and Taylor. But those who anticipate yet another version of that famed tragedy should brace themselves for a hefty dose of the unexpected. Castrovillari and his librettist Giacomo dall’Angelo conjure up a lively salmagundi of romance, jealousy, skullduggery, sensuality, comedy, political catastrophe and attempted murder, climaxing in a surprise ending that is entirely in the spirit of Carnevale. With Céline Ricci as Cleopatra, Randall Scotting as Marc Antonio, Nell Snaidas as Ottavia, Jennifer Ellis Kampani as Coriaspe, Molly Mahoney as Arsinoe, Michael Desnoyers as Filenia, Igor Viera as Clisterno, Spencer Dodd as Dolabella / Arante, Xavier Rivera as Augusto, and James Hogan as Domitio. Semi-staged production sung in Italian with English supertitles.
2 PM
Marines Memorial Theater
609 Sutter Street, San Francisco
$55–$96
Tickets online or 415-392-4400
[email protected]
Junior Bach Festival
62nd annual Junior Bach Festival continues. The Junior Bach Festival is dedicated to touching young lives by promoting the study and performance of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Presented annually about the time of Bach’s birthday, March 21, the Festival features in concert some of the finest young musical talent in California (ages 6 to 18), chosen by audition. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 Seniors, $5 for students 12 and under, except where noted. More concert details at www.juniorbach.org. Performances are scheduled the weekends of March 13–15 and March 20–22. Ten concerts (all different) at venues around the Bay Area feature young people performing works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
2 PM and 7:30 PM concerts
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley
925-837-1683, [email protected], or www.juniorbach.org.
Lacuna Arts Chorale, Sven Edward Olbash, Conductor
“Baroque Music for Lent and Holy Week” Featured works include Domenico Scarlatti’s 10-voice
Stabat Mater and Heinrich Schütz’s St. John Passion.
3 PM
St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church
2325 Union Street (at Steiner), San Francisco
Tickets $30 at the door. Order in advance and save $5. Online advance sales close at noon the day of the performance.
For more information or to get tickets, visit lacunaarts.org
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Rachel Podger, Leader and Violin Soloist
Violin virtuosa Rachel Podger returns to Philharmonia to lead this program of Antonio Vivaldi’s most popular works from L’estro armonico, Op. 3 (including the Concerto for 4 Violins No. 4 in E minor, RV 550; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 8 in A minor, RV 522; Concerto for 2 Violins and Cello No. 11 in D minor, RV 565; Concerto for 2 Violins No. 2 in G minor, RV 578; and Concerto for 4 Violins No. 10 in B minor, RV 580) and La cetra, Op. 9 (including Concerto for Violin No. 12 in B minor, RV 391; and Concerto for 2 Violins No. 9 in B-flat major, RV 530). Also on the program, from La stravaganza, Op. 4, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin in D minor, RV 249. Podger leads the orchestra with warmth and verve-as well as a generous helping of the dazzling technique which makes her a sought-after soloist the world over. Savor the shimmering textures, exquisite dissonances, and thrilling high-speed passages which make Vivaldi among the most beloved of baroque composers. John Prescott will give a prelude lecture 45 minutes before every concert.
8 PM
First Congregational Church
$25–$100
2345 Channing Way (entrance near Dana and Durant Sts.), Berkeley
510-642-9988, tickets
Singers’ Retreat
Singers’ Retreat, William Mahrt Director, performs a concert of Renaissance polyphony featuring Tomás Luis de Victoria’s Missa Quam pulchri sunt.
4 PM
Montgomery Chapel, San Francisco Theological Seminary
105 Seminary Rd., San Anselmo
Freewill donation, to benefit the San Francisco Early Music Society
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
