Announcing 2018 SF Bach Festival & 2018 Gala

Announcing the 2018 SF Bach Festival & Gala

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Next Week: Bach's Saint John Passion

Beginning with the 2018 Festival & Academy, the American Bach Soloists 30th Season will commemorate the core of ABS’s rich history through performances of works that represent the finest of the Baroque era. Grand special events including “Sparkle” — the 2018 Gala Auction, Concert, and Dinner — make the upcoming 30th Season a joyful celebration of the organization’s past, present, and future.

The Glorious Court of Dresden

August 3 – 12 2018

San Francisco's Summer Bach Festival

HOLD THE DATES

Tickets for the ABS Festival & Academy Go on Sale in March

For the 2018 ABS Festival & Academy, artistic director Jeffrey Thomas has chosen the music of Germany with a particular emphasis on The Glorious Court of Dresden, known for the extraordinary quality of music that was composed for the Electors and Kings of Saxony who upheld the highest artistic and cultural standards for their subjects. Its splendid Baroque and Rococo architecture brought the city its nickname as the “Jewel Box,” and a distinguished roster of performers and composers made it one of Europe’s most important musical capitals. A full array of free events—including public master classes, lectures, concerts, and colloquia—complement the performances by American Bach Soloists in two exceptionally fine venues.

The Glorious Court of Dresden

Friday August 3 2018 8:00 p.m. • St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco

Dresden’s renowned Hofkapelle court orchestra was the finest in Germany during the Baroque era and brought prestige to the city, establishing its rank as one of the most important musical centers throughout Europe. A wealth of composers wrote their finest compositions for the ensemble. This program show just how adept were the musicians of the Hofkapelle.

Jan Dismas Zelenka: Sinfonia à 8 in A Minor

Johann Georg Pisendel: Concerto in D Major

Georg Philipp Telemann: Concerto per l’Orchestra di Dresda

Johann David Heinichen: Overture in G Major

Elizabeth Blumenstock violin • Robert Mealy violin

American Bach Soloists • Jeffrey Thomas conductor

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To Dresden With Love

Saturday August 4 2018 8:00 p.m. • St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco

A stunning setting of “Dixit Dominus” by Vivaldi, recently discovered in Dresden, features some of the composer’s most pictorial musical imagery and what has become known as Vivaldi’s most brilliantly executed double fugue for chorus. Bach’s congratulatory cantata for the anniversary of the election of August III, Elector of Saxony, as King of Poland, first performed in October 1734 in the presence of the Elector, is a grand and flattering testimonial to the high esteem in which he was held by Bach. Trumpets, drums, a full Baroque orchestra, and chorus sing the praises of Dresden’s celebrated Elector.

Antonio Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus

Johann Sebastian Bach: “Preise dein glücke gesegnetes Sachsen”

(Praise your good fortune, blessed Saxony)

Clara Rottsolk soprano • Judith Malafronte contralto

Matthew Hill tenor • William Sharp baritone

American Bach Choir • American Bach Soloists • Jeffrey Thomas conductor

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Additional Festival Performances

Bach’s Mass in B Minor

Sunday August 5 2018 7:00 p.m. • St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco

Sunday August 12 2018 2:00 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music

American Bach Choir & ABS Academy Festival Orchestra

Jeffrey Thomas conductor

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Handel’s Semele

Thursday August 9 2018 7:30 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Friday August 10 2018 7:30 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music

American Bach Choir & ABS Academy Festival Orchestra

Jeffrey Thomas conductor

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Baroque Masters

Saturday August 11 2018 8:00 p.m. • San Francisco Conservatory of Music

American Bach Soloists

featuring Max van Egmond baritone & Sandra Miller flute

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The Glorious Court of Dresden

August 3 – 12 2018

San Francisco's Summer Bach Festival

HOLD THE DATES

Tickets for the ABS Festival & Academy Go on Sale in March

Celebrating the Court of Louis XIV and the Music of France

16th Annual Gala Auction, Concert, & Dinner

September 29, 2018, 5:00 p.m.

at The James Leary Flood Mansion, San Francisco

Since 2013, the American Bach Soloists have presented an annual Gala Auction, Concert, and Dinner to support its programs and to benefit the American Bach Soloists Academy. Now in its 16th year, the focus of the 2018 Gala will be "Versailles," following on the heels of last year's wonderful celebration of Venice. The glamorous evening will include a special performance of works by Couperin, Rameau, Leclair, and Aubert featuring...

Elizabeth Blumenstock violin

Sandra Miller flute

Nola Richardson soprano

Steven Lehning viola da gamba

Corey Jamason harpsichord

Reserve Your Tickets

Next Week's Concerts

This program is sponsored by James R. Meehan.

Friday February 23 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

St. Stephen’s Church

3 Bay View Avenue, Belvedere, CA 94920

This performance is sponsored by the William & Gretchen Kimball Fund.

Saturday February 24 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

Sunday February 25 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

1111 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Monday February 26 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Davis Community Church

412 C Street, Davis, CA 95616

This performance is sponsored by George & Patricia Locke.

americanbach.org/tickets

or call 800-595-4TIX (-4849)

Free Pre-Concert "INSIGHTS" by musicologist Victor Gavenda

One hour prior to each performance enjoy a free and informative lecture given by musicologist and conductor Victor Gavenda, an accomplished scholar who will share his insights about the repertoire, the composers, and the experience of hearing great music from the Baroque era performed to the highest standards.