“All the Pleasures: The Italian Influence in London and Beyond” 44th Baroque Music Festival, Corona del Mar
June 16 @ 4:00 pm - June 23 @ 6:00 pm PDT
The Baroque Music Festival, Corona del Mar, embraces “All the Pleasures” in an appreciation of the Italian influence on music in 17th- and 18th-century London society in five concerts June 16-23, 2024 in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar on the Californian Riviera.
The 2024 Festival, themed “All the Pleasures” (named after the Purcell Ode featured in the series’ Finale), focuses on music by a wide range of Baroque-era English composers, juxtaposed with pieces by their continental European predecessors and contemporaries. Esteemed Baroque violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock directs the season, curating and leading all but one of the performances. Blumenstock’s choice of Baroque masterpieces for the 2024 Festival is as eclectic and entertaining as ever, ranging from Italian violin duos to a grand Handel choral work. The series is anchored by two Sunday afternoon concerts with the Festival Orchestra, joined for the Finale by the Festival Chorus. For the June 16 opener, London Fog, Italian Sunshine, soloists from the ensemble bring out the southern sun (the influence of Italian music on London-based composers) in J.C. (“The London”) Bach’s Sinfonia Concertante for violin and cello, concerti grossi by Arcangelo Corelli, Francesco Geminiani (“La Follia” variations, after Corelli), and Charles Avison (inspired by Scarlatti), an overture by Handel’s close friend Dr. Maurice Greene, and the Handel organ concerto endearingly nicknamed “Cuckoo and Nightingale.”
Chamber ensembles and further soloists give three evening concerts between the larger-scale Sunday events. Monday evening’s intimate Time Stands Still: English Lute Songs recital highlights the excellent acoustics of St. Michael & All Angels Church, Corona del Mar. Then, the Festival presents two concerts within the hidden oasis of Corona del Mar’s Sherman Library & Gardens, a beloved venue since the first series in 1981. This year, musicians gather there on the Wednesday and Friday evenings for Nightingales in the Gardens (music for three violin soloists, and more) and Galante in the Gardens (Bach, and late Baroque chamber music by Telemann and others), respectively. The season will close on June 23 with Handel & Purcell Choral Odes, showcasing each composer’s stunning vocal music, alongside instrumental selections. Countertenor Clifton Massey returns to the Festival (he last appeared in Bach’s Magnificat in 2019) for the familiar opening aria of Handel’s Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, “Eternal Source of Light Divine” (trumpet Kathryn Adduci)—a piece featured at many British royal weddings. Joining Clifton Massey are debuting soloists Nola Richardson (soprano), Gregório Taniguchi (tenor), and Jesse Blumberg (baritone). For full program details of this year’s series please visit https://bmf-cdm.org/2024-programs/
Single Tickets start at $45
Student Rush Tickets are $10 at the door, for ages 12-29, with valid student card and photo ID, subject to availability.
Festival Subscriptions $325, include premium, reservable, seating and a private catered dinner after the Finale on June 23.
Complimentary Wine & Waters receptions and pre-concert brass music al fresco for all ticket holders.
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