Pacific Baroque Festival Pass 2023

Festival passes include access to all concerts for the Pacific Baroque Festival - Purchase Festival Passes here! (Limited amount available) 

Pacific Baroque Festival 2023: Music for Distracted Times

The 2023 Pacific Baroque Music focuses on the music of 17th and 18th century England. With an ensemble of two violins, two viols, lute, harpsichord and organ, along with the wonderful soprano voice of Arwen Myers, we explore this rich period in music in which the political tumult of the early 1600s gave way to London becoming the largest city in Europe and a centre of artistic expression. Charles II’s reign saw the composition of the first English operas, the opening of the first public concert halls, and an influx of talented musicians from abroad which continued into the 18th century.

Wednesday Evening – Christ Church Cathedral - Concert 7:30pm/Doors 7pm 

The Grand Tour

Take a tour of the many styles of the 18th century European organ in this tour de force of organ music from the French, German, Italian and English schools, including an organ concerto by George Frederic Handel. Featuring the Pacific Baroque Festival Ensemble and organist Mark McDonald.

Thursday morning - Alix Goolden Performance Hall - Concert 11am/Doors 10:30am - Entry for concert at 900 Johnson St. 

The King’s Fiddler

The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 allowed music-making to flourish and drew composer - performers to write virtuosic music for their instruments. The German violinist Thomas Baltzar settled in London, and in 1661 entered Charles II's service as leader of the king's private music ensemble, the “Four and Twenty Fiddlers”. A later arrival was the Italian Nicola Matteis, who published several volumes of his ravishing ‘Ayres for the Violin’ in the 1670s and 1680s.

Friday evening - Alix Goolden Performance Hall - Concert 7:30pm/Doors 7pm - Entry for concert at 900 Johnson St. 

A Sad Pavan for these Distracted Times

Cultural activity in England during the 17th century was disrupted by political, religious, and social upheaval; Thomas Tomkins wrote his ‘Sad Pavan’ two weeks after the execution of Charles I and after the destruction of his organ at Worcester Cathedral. He unfortunately did not live to see the restoration of the monarchy and the renewed enthusiasm for the arts brought about by the reign of Charles II. It inspired a rich period of musical innovation, with music written for the church, the court and private salons, and the evolution of a distinctly English musical style epitomized by the music of Henry Purcell.

Saturday evening - Alix Goolden Performance Hall - Concert 7:30pm/Doors 7pm - Entry for concert at 900 Johnson St. 

Foreign Inspiration

With the advent of public concerts, the fascination with opera, and the opening of the ‘pleasure gardens’, London, as the largest city in Europe, became a hive of musical activity during the 18th century. The plethora of musical opportunities attracted foreign musicians, especially from Germany and Italy, to visit or make their home there. One could hear the very latest compositions played by the best musicians of the day, most notably George Frederic Handel, who became a kind of composer-in-residence at the Vauxhall pleasure gardens during the 1730s.

Sunday - Christ Church Cathedral

Choral Evensong (not ticketed) -Christ Church Cathedral - Concert 4pm /Doors 3:30pm 

 The Pacific Baroque Festival concludes with a Choral Evensong Service at Christ Church Cathedral, featuring the music of Henry Purcell.