Thirteen must-see baroque to contemporary compositions in beautiful settings, festivals are a unique way to experience classical music.
Summer is just around the corner and for classical music fans, that means one thing: it’s festival season. Each summer, artists from all over the world flock to picturesque California communities to experience a unique blend of music-making, camaraderie, and fun. One part artist’s retreat, one part intensive study, and one part cultural tourism, festivals are a vital and vibrant way for artists and audiences alike to deeply engage in classical music, an art form that has lasted for centuries.
From June through August, California comes alive with festivals. No two are exactly alike, yet each shares one common thread: a love and respect for composers, musicians, and the communities in which they are rooted. In every corner of the Golden state, there are opportunities to experience world-class performances and connect with the artists who bring these great works of art to life. The 13 festivals below (listed in chronological order) showcase a rich and impressive spectrum of music-making in delightful destinations.
Mainly Mozart, San Diego (June 2-18) – The 2016 Mainly Mozart Festival celebrates 28 years at the historic Balboa Theatre. An all-star orchestra of concertmasters and principal players from the nation’s premier orchestras, along with world-renowned soloists, perform under the baton of Music Director Michael Francis. The 2016 season launches a six-year exploration of Mozart’s life and works with the first chapter dedicated to “Prodigy.” A one-woman play dramatizing the life of Mozart’s sister; an early Mozart opera; chamber music; lectures on the music-brain connection; Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra performances; and a free community play-along with the Festival Orchestra round out the Festival. www.mainlymozart.org; 619-239-0100
Ojai Music Festival, Ojai CA, (June 9-12) – Appointed Music Director Peter Sellars’ vision for the milestone 70th Festival honors its long-held spirit of challenging audiences musically and intellectually. Highlights include American premieres by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho: La Passion de Simone (chamber version) and her dramatic creation Only the Sound Remains; a commissioned work by Pulitzer Prize-winning Caroline Shaw; and the world premiere of Josephine Baker: A Personal Portrait. Considered a highlight of the international music summer season, the four-day festival is a complete immersive experience with concerts, free community events, symposia, and gatherings in the idyllic setting of the Ojai Valley. www.OjaiFestival.org; 805 646 2053.
67th Ojai Music Festival – June 8, 2013
Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara, (June 13-August 6) – The 69th Annual Summer School and Festival presents a rich mixture of masterclasses, recitals, and concerts featuring 140 talented fellows and 60+ outstanding faculty. Mosher Guest Artists include flutist Emmanuel Pahud, baritone Thomas Hampson, and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, who will perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in a Festival Orchestra community concert, followed by Dvořák’s New World Symphony. The opera event of the summer will be a brand-new production of Smetana’s comedic masterwork, The Bartered Bride, conducted by Matthew Aucoin. Special events include a piano recital by Jeremy Denk, a concert by Takács Quartet, Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony conducted by New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert, and more. www.musicacademy.org; 805-969-4726
Music in the Mountains, Grass Valley (June 22-July 3) – The 35th anniversary season features classical favorites and nationally renowned artists Grammy Award-winning singer Judy Collins and folk rock singer-songwriter Don McLean. Five conductors lead the Festival Orchestra and Chorus: Ryan Murray, Artistic Director Pete Nowlen, Jeffrey Reed, Lucinda Carver, and David Lockington. Highlights include a Mozart marathon featuring the Mozart Piano Quartet in G Minor with pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski, Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings and Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite, and a program of Russian favorites including the 1812 Overture. www.musicinthemountains.org; 530-265-6124
Ventura Music Festival (July 15-17 and July 22-24) – Now in its 22nd year, the VMF presents two weekends of top-ranked classical and contemporary performers. For 2016, the contemporary centerpiece is “Sergio Mendes: a celebration of 50 years of Brasil 66.” In other concerts, international Cabaret star Ute Lemper presents her singular interpretations of Weill, Brecht and Piaf; piano duo sensations Anderson & Roe demonstrate why they have critics and audiences alike raving; and piano virtuoso Vadym Kholodenko shows why he captured the Gold in the last Cliburn International. All this plus Composers & the Movies, Tea & Trumpets and more . . . great music in a beautiful coastal beach town. Nuvi Mehta, Artistic Director. www.VenturaMusicFestival.org; 805-648-3146
The Mendocino Music Festival, Mendocino (July 9– 23) – In its 30th season, is held in historical Mendocino Village overlooking the Pacific. The Festival presents jazz, world, opera, chamber music and more, but at its heart is the Festival Orchestra, conducted by Artistic Director Allan Pollack. Chamber music includes Calder Quartet and a lecture/concert Piano Series created by Associate Artistic Director Susan Waterfall. Her four-part Beethoven Tribute culminates with David McCarroll and the Festival Orchestra, performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto. Also on offer – Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio; Beethoven Concerto No. 3, with Stephen Prutsman; Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5; and the Bach B minor Mass. www.mendocinomusic.org; 707-937-2044
Festival Mozaic, San Luis Obispo, (July 13-24) – The 46th season presents orchestra, chamber music, crossover fringe events, notable encounters, lectures, master classes and culinary and wine events in a variety of picturesque venues in wine coast country, including historic missions, intimate concert halls and private homes. Led by Scott Yoo, Music Director (recently appointed Artistic Director of the Mexico City Philharmonic), highlights include Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 featuring boy soprano Bobby Hill, Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 with John Novacek, and a Fringe series featuring PROJECT Trio and Duo Baldo, Italian musical comedy. www.FestivalMozaic.com; 805-781-3009
Festival Napa Valley (July 15-24) blends classical, jazz, opera, theater and dance artists with culinary, wine and fitness pursuits, staged in Napa Valley’s most iconic settings. The festival nurtures young talent through the Bouchaine Young Artist Series, presents free community concerts, and is the leading funder of arts education in Napa County. More than 200 wineries, hotels, resorts, theaters, restaurants and vintners take part in the event. Featured guest artists for the 11th season include Kristin Chenoweth, San Francisco Ballet, Chris Noth, Kathleen Battle, Sergio Mendes, Sarah Chang, Lester Lynch, Young People’s Chorus of NYC, Isabel Leonard, Michael Fabiano, Carlo Ponti and more. www.festivalnapavalley.org 888-337-6272
Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival & Institute, Menlo Park, (July 15 – August 6) – Under the artistic directorship of David Finckel & Wu Han, Music@Menlo is the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier chamber music festival, with an adjoining institute for young musicians. The fourteenth season’s theme is ‘Russian Reflections,’ constructed around seven main concert programs that connect Russian and Western European music. Performances and master classes are given by some of the world’s most celebrated chamber musicians, and a series of immersive events such as Café Conversations complement the lively programming, providing opportunities for audiences to expand their interaction with festival artists. www.musicatmenlo.org; 650-331-0202
“Die Forelle” (The Trout) – Jeffrey Kahane (Piano), Arnaud Sussmann (Violin), Sunmi Chang (Viola), Keith Robinson (Cello), Scott Pingel (Double Bass)
Carmel Bach Festival, Carmel-by-the Sea (July 16-30) – The Carmel Bach Festival presents its 79th season “Bach Inspires,” celebrating the centennial of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The program, created by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Paul Goodwin, presents more than 40 events. Also programmed is Mozart’s first grand opera, Idomeneo in a specially adapted. New for 2016 include performance venues, such as the Monterey Museum of Art, and Sunday performance times (4:00 pm) for Bach’s monumental B Minor Mass. The Festival features world renowned musicians and vocal soloists, including Thomas Cooley, Peter Harvey, and Clara Rottsolk among many others. New soloists include soprano Mhairi Lawson and mezzo soprano Meg Bragle. www.bachfestival.org; 831-624-1521
Valley of the Moon Music Festival, Sonoma (July 16-31) – brings some of the world’s leading experts in historic performance together with emerging artists to play the great chamber music repertoire of the Classical and Romantic eras on period instruments. This summer’s theme, “The Voice in Chamber Music,” explores the popularity of song and opera in the 19th Century. Post-concert receptions feature local Sonoma wineries pouring you a complimentary glass while you mingle with the artists. www.valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org; 707-509-3713
Music in the Vineyards, Napa Valley (July 29 – Aug 21) – Music in the Vineyards is a nationally acclaimed chamber music festival showcasing artists-in-residence from around the world. Now in its 22nd Season, the 2016 summer festival features both new and classic repertoire in intimate winery venues where audiences can experience chamber music at it was intended. Artistic Directors Michael & Daria Adams blend a refreshing mix of world-class talent that like wine, betters over time. Enjoy complimentary wine tastings at intermission, mingle with musicians, and savor the vineyard views. www.musicinthevineyards.org; 707-258-5559
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Santa Cruz (August 5-13)— America’s longest-running festival dedicated to new music for orchestra, the Cabrillo Festival celebrates the final year, and 25th anniversary of Music Director and Conductor Marin Alsop. 2016 high are the world premiere of a new symphonic ballet by Anna Clyne, choreographed by Kitty McNamee and danced by members of Hysterica Dance Company; the world premiere of Spider Dance by John Adams, the West Coast premiere of Kevin Puts’ The City; and the world premiere commission of a new work by emerging composer Michael Kropf. The 11 composers-in-residence include John Adams, Mason Bates, Anna Clyne, John Corigliano, and Jennifer Higdon.