2023/24 Concert Season
For forty-six seasons, SFEMS has been your first port of call for early music in the Bay Area. From the rarely-heard to the revolutionary; from today’s legends to tomorrow’s stars—SFEMS provides all you expect and more from historically informed performance.
Two supergroups of the early music world—Vox Luminis ("Bach: The Early Cantatas," Nov. 2) and Rachel Barton Pine & Jory Vinikour (Bach Sonatas and Partitas, Apr. 5–7)—will both bring works by Johann Sebastian Bach, but in two very different programs: one vocal, one instrumental; one comprised of his early works, and one from when he was at the height of his compositional powers.
As for new delights, you can adorn yourself in “Baroque Gems: beyond Bach and Handel” with Ensemble Mirable (Sept. 29–Oct. 1); as well as enjoy El Mundo’s ("Archivo de Guatemala," Oct. 27–29) program of recently unearthed treasures from the archive of the Cathedral of Guatemala City, revealing the rich legacy of Latin American and Spanish composers.
You can also tap your toes to dance music from the courts and the streets with Ciaramella ("Dancing From Burgundy to Bergamo," Mar. 22–24); revel in the sumptuous delights of a Parisian salon with soprano Sherezade Panthaki and Musica Pacifica ("Invitation to a Salon," Jan. 12–14); and soak in the heavenly harmonies of the Italian Renaissance with European sensation La Morra ("Shaping the Invisible: Italian Music from the Time of Leonardo," Mar. 1).
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Rachel Barton Pine & Jory Vinikour | Apr 5–7
Bach Sonatas and Partitas
Rachel Barton Pine (violin) & Jory Vinikour (harpsichord), two superstars of the early music world, bring their collective talents to bear on some of Bach's greatest instrumental works. Enjoy sonic treats such as the Sonata in B Major for violin and harpsichord and the French Overture in B Minor—with the skill and panache that only Rachel and Jory could bring to them!
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 7:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church
1140 Cowper Street at Lincoln, Palo Alto
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 7:30 PM
First Church Berkeley UCC (First Congregational)
2345 Channing Way
SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 4:00 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
Last year, individual tickets were $55–$65. For this year, we suggest a ticket price between $30 and $40 per ticket. That said, anything is appreciated and if you can pay more, please do!
The Berkeley Festival & Exhibition has become a remarkable institution
on the American musical scene.” —The New York Times
Join us for eight days of fantastic music this summer!
Savor the best of the best in early music—period.
Join us for a plethora of main stage concerts, various special events, our international exhibition, and dozens of self-produced Fringe concerts!