It’s not easy to sustain a music festival, especially one devoted to classical music from the Baroque period (music composed between 1600 and 1750). It’s not as grand as Beethoven nor as intense as Mahler, but Baroque music has its devotees, which is why the Baroque Music Festival in Corona del Mar has not only survived for more than four decades, but has thrived by offering annual themes around which they can build a week-long season.
Last year’s sold-out Vivaldi Fest was a testament to the continued popularity not only of Vivaldi but Baroque music.
This year, for the Baroque Music Festival’s 46th season, artistic director-violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock was inspired by the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia, to create the theme of “Bright Cecilia: The Power of Harmony.”
According to information from the Baroque Music Festival, Blumenstock has curated programs that feature soloists and the Festival Orchestra and Chorus to bring the community professional, historically-informed interpretations of Handel’s Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, Bach sonatas, music by an ancestor of a current Festival patron, Parisian ballets, Italian concertos and more, in five concerts over eight days June 21-28.
In this series of accessible concerts, specialists present 17th- and 18th-century masterpieces close to how their composers would have intended them to be heard, at intimate venues in Corona del Mar and Newport Beach.
Internationally recognized Baroque violinist Blumenstock directs the series, her 16th as artistic director. She performs globally as a soloist and concertmaster on a 17th-century Guarneri baroque violin (Cremona, 1660) generously on loan to her from the Philharmonia Baroque Period Instrument Trust.
Festival Overview
The 2026 Festival opens and closes with Sunday afternoon concerts at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, by the Festival Orchestra, joined for the Finale by vocal soloists and the Festival Chorus.
Featured artists give three evening concerts between the Sunday events. Monday’s recital, A Cöthen Chamber: Bach Sonatas, highlights the acoustics of St. Michael & All Angels, Corona del Mar, in a rare performance by Blumenstock and soloist Matthew Dirst of three of Bach’s masterly sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord.
Music for both organ and harpsichord by a Bach predecessor, Johann Caspar Kerll, is featured—and amazingly, a direct descendant of Kerll is among the Baroque Music Festival’s patrons.
Wednesday brings a little night music to the oasis of Sherman Library & Gardens, a Festival venue since 1981. Concerti D’Italia in the Gardens features recorder (soloist Judith Linsenberg) and string concertos by Vivaldi and other Italians.
On Friday the series returns to St. Mark, Newport Beach, for A Spanish Salón: Chamber Music Night—guitar and string quintets by Boccherini, including his famous “Fandango” quintet, plus solo guitar music. Guitarist Marc Teicholz returns following his sold-out recital in 2019.
The 46th series concludes with Festival Finale: St. Cecilia’s Day! featuring international soloists Hannah De Priest (soprano) and Nicholas Phan (tenor) with the Festival’s eight-voiced specialist Baroque chorus and its orchestra.
In addition to the ticketed concerts, the Festival invites audiences to enjoy Baroque music al fresco by South Coast Brass, beginning 45 minutes before each concert. At all performances, audience members and musicians are encouraged to mingle for conversation and refreshment at complimentary “wine and waters” receptions.
And if you’ve never experienced classical music performed live inside a church with pristine acoustics—well, it’s a life-changing experience.
Subscriptions are $350 for all five concerts. Price includes reservable premium seating at each concert and a private catered post-concert dinner following the Festival Finale on Sunday, June 28.
Single tickets range from $50 to $60 for individual concerts, plus a $5 processing fee per order, for open seating behind the premium section.
Students “Go for Baroque” Rush Tickets for Under-30s (age 12 and above) are $10 on the day of performance only, cash preferred, with a valid student card and photo ID. Please email students@bmf-cdm.org for further information, and to inquire about group bookings and open dress rehearsals for students.
And for Newport-Mesa USD families – thanks to generous support from the City of Newport Beach (Cultural Arts Grant) – the adult accompanying any NMUSD student(s) age 12 or over is also eligible for the $10 rush ticket rate.
For complete details on each Baroque Music Festival concert and to purchase tickets, visit www.bmf-cdm.org.
Festival History
The Baroque Music Festival was founded in 1981 by Dr. Burton Karson (1934-2025), then Professor of Music at CSU Fullerton. The annual season of five June concerts is a high-quality musical experience and an accessible way to discover, enjoy, and learn more about a wide variety of beautiful Baroque-era European music (written from around 1600 to around 1750) in its socio-historical context, right in the heart of the local community.
Over the past four decades, the Festival has evolved as a respected and popular cultural institution in Orange County. Performing on period instruments in intimate settings, acclaimed professional musicians gather each June in Corona del Mar and Newport Beach, frequently playing to sold-out crowds. Since 2025 the Festival has added the Burton Karson Music Education Program, funded in part by the Burton Karson Music Education Fund.
Concertgoers have described Baroque Music Festival, Corona del Mar’s performances as “rapturous” and “riveting,” while reviews from the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register and others have praised the Festival throughout its long and illustrious history. The Festival Board of Directors remains committed to bringing inspirational Baroque music to Newport Beach every summer.
