The first Festival began in 1935 with Ernst Bacon as guest conductor. In 1938, Gastone Usigli was named conductor, leading the Festival until his death in 1956. Dene Denny chose the next conductor, a young man named Sandor Salgo. Under Salgo’s 36-year leadership the largely amateur Festival became professional and nationally recognized. Salgo’s long tenure as a Stanford University professor created a link between musical sponsorship and the emerging study of historical performance practices and a rediscovery of Baroque music. Now enjoying its 70th season, the Carmel Bach Festival has built an international reputation in presenting the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, his contemporaries and his musical heirs on period instruments. The Carmel Bach Festival began as a three-day festival of concerts at the Sunset School Auditorium and the Carmel Mission Basilica. Today, the Festival has grown to a three-week event with more than 50 performances by leading Baroque interpreters from Europe and the Americas. Now, every summer, German conductor Bruno Weil leads an international ensemble of music professionals in an exciting 22-day program of oratorios, concerti, orchestral and choral masterworks, chamber music, recitals and other musical delights. Festival attendees are also invited to enjoy a variety of free lectures, family concerts and other complimentary events.