Carmel Bach Festival Abuzz With Preparation for 69th Season - July 15 - August 5

Carmel Bach Festival Abuzz With Preparation for 69th Season - July 15 - August 5

CARMEL, Calif., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- It takes 11 months of planning and preparation to produce one of the oldest and most prestigious music festivals in the West. The Carmel Bach Festival depends on an intricate collaboration of staff, volunteers and artists to organize and present the 23-day festival consisting of over 156 performances and events.

The Artistic Planning Committee lead by Maestro Bruno Weil and Managing Director Jesse Read are busy putting the final touches on the programming for the 2006 Festival. Patrons can anticipate a wonderfully exciting program featuring the centerpiece of the Festival, Bach's St. John's Passion, and a glorious production of the grand oratorio by G.F. Handel depicting the biblical epic, Israel in Egypt. The influence of Bach and the Baroque on Mozart will not be overlooked with a fascinating interactive evening with the orchestra, star soloists from the Festival and Maestro Weil performing selections from the great Mozart works. In addition, there will be music from the Renaissance, a program of choral gems from the glorious 18th Century Mexican high Baroque, a touch of Jazz, chamber music in abundance, and most of all, unforgettable performances from great musicians.

Festival Education Director David Gordon is immersed in reviewing applications submitted for the Adams Master Class Fellows that will be announced in March. He is also working closely with lecturer Grant Voth in preparing the curriculum for a series of special lectures about Bach and the Baroque period for the Gentrain Series at Monterey Peninsula College in April.

The Festival Chorus consisting entirely of local volunteers began rehearsals several weeks ago led by new Chorus Director John Koza and Chorale Director William Jon Gray. The Chorus will perform in the major productions of Bach's St. John Passion and Handel's Israel and Egypt.

The Volunteer Committee led by Board Member Luana Wilsey and Patron Services Manager, Bob Mulford are busy recruiting over 300 volunteers essential to creating the familial atmosphere of the Festival. Volunteers work tirelessly during the Festival in a variety of capacities such as artist hospitality, ushers, administration, ticket office, and event production. The Festival will be holding a volunteer fair at the Carmel Women's Club on April 22nd.

The Marketing Committee is putting the final touches on the Festival ticket brochure that will be distributed by the beginning of March to patrons. The Festival will also make a downloadable PDF of the ticket brochure available on March 15th. Patrons will be able to purchase tickets online at www.bachfestival.org starting May 1st.

The Carmel Bach Festival, a 23-day celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, his contemporaries, and musical heirs, has brought the music of the Baroque to the communities of the Monterey Peninsula since 1935. The Festival offers its brilliant musical experience to new audiences through performances by international artists, a unique and stimulating slate of concerts, recitals, public master classes, instrumental and vocal music, lectures, informal talks as well as educational, social and family events.

Tickets prices range from $20 - $60. To purchase tickets or for further Festival information, log onto www.bachfestival.org or call 831-624-2046.

Contact:
Kathy Dolbec
Carmel Bach Festival
Tel: 831-624-2046
Fax: 831-624-2788
kathy@bachfestival.org
www.bachfestival.org

Contact:
Karma Simons
Carmel Bach Festival
Tel: 831-624-1521
Fax: 831-624-2788
info@bachfestival.org
www.bachfestival.org

Source: Carmel Bach Festival

CONTACT: Kathy Dolbec, +1-831-624-2046, or fax, +1-831-624-2788, or
kathy@bachfestival.org, or Karma Simons, +1-831-624-1521, or +1-831-624-2788,
or info@bachfestival.org, both of Carmel Bach Festival

Web site: http://www.bachfestival.org/

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