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Carmel Bach Festival

July 13 - 27, 2013

America's most important Bach festival, the Carmel Bach Festival, celebrates its 76th Anniversary in 2013 with 15 days of performances, talks and educational events. As always, the focus is not only on J.S. Bach, but also on the many artists he influenced, such as Handel, Mozart, Brahms, and more.

The 2013 Festival schedule includes an amazing array of multiple concerts and more than 40 free events in Carmel, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Seaside, and Salinas.

Music Director and Conductor Paul Goodwin has developed an exciting schedule which includes multiple concerts every day. During the week leading up to the official opening of the festival, visitors will even have the opportunity to attend several open rehearsals. View the full schedule at the Carmel Bach Festival website.

Pre-Concert Talks

Each day will feature a Pre-Concert Talk at the Sunset Center. Each discussion will take on a different topic and is free to the public. 

Main Concerts

The Carmel Bach Festival centerpiece is the Main Concert Series in the Sunset Theater. While the Saturday and Sunday programs are each focused on one main work, the other Main Concerts combine multiple works to provide insight into an instrument, a concept, or the evolution of a musical form.

Chamber Music Concerts

In repertoire spanning five centuries, the Festival's 26 chamber concerts expose the breadth of Bach and those he influenced. Hear performances of Bach's organ works and chamber music. You'll also have the chance to hear works from Bach's contemporaries and heirs, including Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Rossini, Brahms, Schubert, and more. 

Free Open Rehearsals

Take a seat in the auditorium and watch Music Director Paul Goodwin in onstage working rehearsals for the Main Concerts.These unique insights are free to the public.

Free Community Concerts

Two free community concerts will give all music lovers the opportunity to take in classical works. The Community Concerts in Seaside and Salinas, features Festival musicians in an informal setting, performing everything from Bach to Broadway.

Free Tower Music Concerts

The ever-popular Tower Music concert series returns this year. Each of these free short concerts features the Festival Brass and heralds the beginning of a main concert. Tower Music concerts are held in the Sunset Center terrace.

Carmel Bach Festival Venues

Venues, schedules and settings are as diverse as the repertoire. Many Festival concerts will be held in Carmel-by-the-Sea's beautiful Sunset Theater. Other events take place in churches, theaters and other venues including the Church in the Forest in Pebble Beach, the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside and Wave Street Studios in Monterey.

Carmel Bach Festival Tickets

The Carmel Bach Festival works to make the inspiring music of Bach and his heirs accessible to everyone, with both many free events and a broad range of ticket price points. Tickets can be purchased through the Carmel Bach Festival's official ticketing site.