Experience the majesty and magic of classical music at the 2008 Bach Festival. From July 19th to August 9th, music lovers across the Monterey Peninsula can enjoy a host of performances by international artists and performers. Through a series of concerts, recitals, master classes, lectures, open rehearsals and educational and outreach programs, the annual Bach Festival showcases world-class classical music from renowned professionals. The festival takes place in Carmel, but concerts run from a list of venues across the area in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Monterey, Seaside, Salinas and Stanford. Since 1935, this Carmel festival has been serving the classical music community, and this year’s festival promises to continue the tradition and legacy with unparalleled performances.

Under the direction of Bruno Weil, the Carmel Bach Festival features a selection of classical pieces, including the entire Brandenburg Concertos, Bach’s masterful B-Minor Mass and the “Aha Concerto!”. Selections from renowned composers like Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, Schutz and Distler will be performed, and the 2008 Festival also marks the return of the piano to these classical performances.

The Carmel Bach Festival serves a community of classical music lovers and performers, and the 2008 season is set to continue this deep history. The power of music to nurture the soul is profound, and this classical music festival pulls at the heartstrings of all those involved. From candle-lit Baroque pieces to full orchestral performances, the Festival offers three weeks of world-class performances suiting a range of classical tastes. Housed in an array of stunning venues, from the Sunset Center to the Carmel Mission Basilica to the Church in the Forest, the 2008 Carmel Bach Festival is a once-in-a-year event that could be the experience of a lifetime.

Main Concerts

• July 19 Opening Night and July 26, August 2 • 8:00pm • Sunset Theater
• Bruno Weil, Conductor, Festival Orchestra, Festival Chorale and Festival Soloists

• July 20, 27, August 3 • 2:30pm • Sunset Theater
• Bruno Weil, Conductor, Festival Orchestra, Festival Chorale, Chorus and Youth Chorus

• July 21, 28, August 4 • 8:00pm • Sunset Theater
• Led by Concertmaster Elizabeth Wallfisch with Members of the String Orchestra

• July 22, 29, August 5 • 8:00pm • Sunset Theater
• Bruno Weil, Conductor, David Gordon & Michael Becker, Narration, Festival Orchestra, Festival Soloists

• July 23, 30 and August 6 • 8:30pm • Carmel Mission Basilica
• Mission Dinners: Wine reception, catered meal and dinner discussion by Andrew Megill
• Mission Concert: Andrew Megill, Conductor, Festival Chorale, Instrumental ensemble

• July 24, 31 and August 7 • 8:00pm • Sunset Theater
• Led by Andrew Arthur with Members of the Festival Orchestra

• July 25, August 1 and August 8 • 8:00pm • Sunset Theater
• Bruno Weil, Conductor, Festival Orchestra