Classical Music News | Bay Area & L.A.

The @carmelbachfestival enters its 87th season this July, focusing on the theme of "Passions," including a performance of Bach's "St. John Passion" in six languages. There's new leadership: Executive Director Nathan Lutz came on board three months ago, working alongside CBF's first female artistic director and principal conductor, Grete Pedersen. Learn more about what's in store for CBF this summer at SFCV.org. __________ photo courtesy of Carmel Bach Festival #SFCV #carmelbach #carmel #jsbach #classicalmusic #sfbayarea #sfbayareamusic #bayareamusic #musicfestival

Gabriel Fauré lives on in his music. The all-star trio of cellist @stevenisserlisv , violinist @joshuabellmusic , and pianist @jeremydenkpiano will be joined by @takacs_quartet violist @richardyongjaeoneill next week for a concert of late masterpieces by the French composer, presented by Santa Barbara's @musicacademyw . For more details on the concert and Isserlis's Fauré recording project, head to SFCV.org. _________ Steven Isserlis photo credit Kevin Davis Joshua Bell photo credit Phillip Knott Jeremy Denk photo credit Josh Goleman Richard O'Neill #SFCV #classicalmusic #Faure #classicalmusician #classicalmusiclovers #santabarbara #santabarbaramusic #joshuabell #StevenIsserlis #JeremyDenk #richardoneillviola

"Fellow Travelers" tells the story of two deeply closeted gay men in 1950s Washington D.C. Last weekend, @opera_parallele presented the West Coast premiere of the opera. The cast included baritone @joseph.lattanzi , who created the role of Hawkins Fuller in the original 2016 production, and @jonathanpiercerhodes , whose tenor was "sizeable and sweet" in the role of Timothy. Our reviewer describes the "exceptional vocalism and acting from all of the principals" in this show filled with longing and lyricism. Read the full review at SFCV.org. __________ Joseph Lattanzi and Jonathan Pierce Rhodes | photo by Stefan Cohen #SFCV #opera #musicreview #operareview #operalovers #fellowtravelersopera #sfbayareamusic #sfmusic #sanfranciscomusic

A love story with hijinks. @sfopera is whisking audiences to 1920s Paris in Christopher Alden's production of "Partenope," last staged at SFO a decade ago but with the sparkle of fresh performances this summer. Soprano @juliefuchssoprano makes her U.S. and role debut as Partenope and sings with "lithe delicacy and emotion." The production plays its final performance this Friday. For the full review, head to SFCV.org. ________ @hadleigh.adams , Julie Fuchs, @dcecima | photo by Cory Weaver #SFCV #opera #SFopera #sanfranciscomusic #Partenope #musicreview #operasinger #operalovers #classicalmusic

@voicesofmusic brought a memorable concerto concert to Berkeley last week, with standout performances by soprano Amanda Forsythe and violinist @augustamckaylodge , whose "titanic sound" was on full display as the soloist in Vivaldi's Concerto in D Major, RV 208. For the full review, head to SFCV.org. __________ courtesy of Voices of Music #SFCV #classicalmusic #concerto #berkeleymusic #musicreview

Each year, the @ OjaiMusic Festival reflects the sensibilities of its current music director. Under pianist @ MitsukoUchida's direction in 2024, three themes emerged: a celebration of Arnold Schoenberg's 150th birthday, a tribute to the late composer Kaija Saariaho (with a piece conducted by her daughter), and pieces that depicted Uchida's piano prowess. Discover what makes for an "Ojai moment" and read the full festival review on SFCV.org. __________ photo by Timothy Teague #sfcv #ojai #ojaimusic #musicfestival #musicfestivals #schoenberg #kaijasaariaho #ojaimusicfestival #ojaifestival #classicalmusic #musicreview #musicreviews

Composer @gregoryhspears_ !!re!!_039;s opera "Fellow Travelers" is having its West Coast premiere this summer at @opera_parallele — at almost the same time that his newest opera, "The Righteous," debuts at @santafeopera . Learn how Spears considers his characters when setting a line, whether the music or words come first for him, and how he can tell if a book can translate to the stage on SFCV.org. __________ photo by Dario Acosta #SFCV #opera #operalovers #composer #composerlife #composers #ArtistSpotlight

This will be the final Kronos Festival for @kronos_quartet violist Hank Dutt and violinist John Sherba, who are both retiring after being with the quartet since 1977 and 1978, respectively. As Dutt and Sherba gear up for Kronos's 50th season finale, we caught up with them about their time in the quartet and asked what's next. Check out the artist spotlight on SFCV.org. ________ photo by Lenny Gonzalez #SFCV #classicalmusic #sanfranciscomusic #sfmusic #kronosquartet #musiccommunity #ArtistSpotlight

With @esapekkasalonen.official at the helm, the @sfsymphony_ !!re!!_039;s double bill of Maurice Ravel's "Ma mère l’Oye" and Arnold Schoenberg's "Erwartung" delighted in contrasts. Where the Ravel, featuring @linesballet , was described by our reviewer "as colorful and eye-popping," the Schoenberg, staged by PeterSellars, was a dramatic tour de force for soprano @mary_elizabeth_williams . Read the full review on SFCV.org. ______ photo by Kristen Loken #SFCV #classicalmusic #dance #sanfranciscomusic #sfmusic #sfsymphony #sanfranciscosymphony

Photographer @ireneyoungfoto_ !!re!!_039;s career took off in the 1970s, and her recently released book is "Something About the Women: Five Decades of Seeing." Two of Young's longtime musician-friends, @barbarahigbie and Teresa Trull, will perform at the @freightandsalvage on June 16 — along with a number of other female musicians also featured in Young's book. Learn more about Young's legacy and how Trull, Higbie, and the photographer first met. Head to SFCV.org. _________ Teresa Trull, Irene Young, and Barbara Higbie | photo courtesy of Irene Young #SFCV #bayareamusic #berkeley #freightandsalvage #eastbaymusic #photographer

The West Coast premiere of "Magdalene" — an operatic adaptation of poet Marie Howe's collection of the same name — brought the highly collaborative spirit of @bethmorrisonprojects to @calartsredcat . The production was written, directed, produced, and performed by women — including 14 women composers. In the words of Beth Morrison, this kind of collaboration is a glimpse into "the future of opera." Read the review of the performance on SFCV.org. _________ photo by Gema Galiana #SFCV #opera #operas #bethmorrisonprojects #losangelesmusic #losangelesmusicscene #LAmusic #LAmusicscene

"The Comet / Poppea" takes place on a rotating stage, allowing director @yuvalsharon_la_detroit to bring two operas together in a boundary-pushing production at the Geffen Center at the @moca . It's an example of the kind of work Sharon is known for at @industryopera , the company he founded in 2010. Discover in our artist spotlight on SFCV.org how Sharon looks for that place of speculation in everything he does and how science fiction and opera relate. _________ photo by Sam Comen #SFCV #opera #operas #losangelesmusic #lamusic #lamusicscene #ArtistSpotlight