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Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra: Exploring Timeless Tales Through Music
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale presents a captivating lineup of events that delve into the heart of classical and baroque music. From the passionate tales of 'Fury and Heartbreak' to the refined sounds of 'The Art of the Lute', these performances bring you face-to-face with music that transcends time. Engage with choral masterpieces in 'Gloria', uncover the historical depths of 'Jews & Music', and traverse centuries with 'Philharmonia Baroque with Avi Avital'. This season promises a series of enchanting performances, each uniquely crafted to delight and inspire.
Jun 2, 2025
Share1. Fury and Heartbreak
“In the fury of most righteous wrath!” These are the words you’ll hear set by Vivaldi in this concert of Italian baroque fervor and passion from both the Venetian and Neapolitan styles. Vibrant soprano Maya Kherani returns to Philharmonia as a muse, singing two stories of abandonment and heartbreak through the zealous music of Handel and Marcello, accompanied by both furious and tender music for strings.
16 - 19 Oct, 2025
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
Berkeley, CA · First Congregational Church of Berkeley + 2 other locations
2. The Art of the Lute
Dive into the delicate sounds of the lute with the riveting lutenist Thomas Dunford in Philharmonia SESSIONS, our casual and intimate concert series. Dunford’s recital displays the full capabilities of this magnificent instrument with music spanning from 16th through 21st centuries, from Baroque to the Beatles.
Nov 14, 2025
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
San Francisco, CA · Swedish American Hall
3. Gloria
Get into the holiday spirit with Chorale Director Valérie Sainte-Agathe and the Philharmonia Chorale as they lift their voices in Vivaldi’s gripping Gloria, a masterpiece of joy and grandeur that has enlivened audiences for centuries. You’ll also experience Corelli’s timeless Christmas Concerto, a fascinating world premiere by Roderick Williams, and the US premiere of Caroline Shaw’s The Holdfast, filled with smooth vocalism and ethereal harmonies. We’re certain this concert will leave you breathless with a sense of wonder and holiday cheer.
5 - 7 Dec, 2025
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
Berkeley, CA · First Congregational Church of Berkeley + 2 other locations
4. Special Concerts: Jews & Music
Discover the ritual performance of Jewish texts at night as well as social change as they relate across Jewish history. This event focuses on three topics: the rise of Kabbalistic nocturnal rituals in the Italian ghettos since the 16th century; the performance of Hebrew poetry in North Africa and the Middle East in the modern era; and the renaissance of piyyut (Hebrew liturgical poetry and song) in Israel from the 1970s to the present. You’ll be treated to traditional Syrian and Moroccan songs, as well as works by familiar Baroque composers Rossi and Boccherini throughout the discussion.
Jan 29, 2026
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
Palo Alto, CA · Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life
5. Baroque Garlands
Two magical garlands paint a story in Rameau’s La Guirlande—a mystical one-act opera telling a story of love through Baroque dances and irresistible arias. This concert includes another magical garland: Handel’s towering Dixit Dominus, which shows off a different side of the High Baroque style through complex counterpoint and startlingly dramatic choruses. We are thrilled to welcome Nicholas McGegan back to the podium to guide us through these baroque triumphs.
6 - 8 Feb, 2026
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
Berkeley, CA · First Congregational Church of Berkeley + 2 other locations
6. Philharmonia Baroque with Avi Avital
Electrifying Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital returns to Philharmonia in a program spanning several centuries. From J.S. Bach’s intensely stormy Concerto in D minor, to Bartók’s whimsical Romanian Folk Dances, we’re certain this music will make you fall in love with the unique sound of the mandolin.
Feb 20, 2026
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
Berkeley, CA · The Freight
7. Pearls of Sorrow
The Thirty Years’ War in Europe and the institution of chattel slavery in America began just one year apart. Separated by culture, continent, and reason, there is a throughline that connects these harrowing events: beautiful music that arises during times of struggle, where feelings and emotions are the same. The music of Schütz, Erlebach, and members of the Bach family share the same spirit as many of the songs and spirituals sung by enslaved Africans and Black Americans to this very day. By highlighting that common space, perhaps we can open ourselves to understanding our true connections to one another.
13 - 15 Mar, 2026
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
Berkeley, CA · First Congregational Church of Berkeley + 2 other locations
8. Kinks and Quirks
“After dinner, I prevailed upon CPE Bach to sit down again to a clavichord…he grew so animated and possessed, that he not only played, but looked like one inspired.” Possessed and entranced too is the F major symphony by CPE Bach: kinks and coils at every turn, with heaps of non-sequiturs that fit bizarrely and beautifully together. Internationally renowned violinist and Philharmonia favorite Shunske Sato guides us through the connection between works by some of the 18th and 19th centuries’ most beloved composers.
23 - 25 Apr, 2026
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
First United Methodist Church-Palo + 2 other locations
Conclusion
This season, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale offers a remarkable array of performances that celebrate the timeless beauty and diversity of classical music. From soulful choral pieces to intimate lute recitals, each event is a testament to the enduring power of music to move and connect us. Whether you're a lifelong fan of baroque music or new to its charms, these concerts promise to enrich your understanding and appreciation of music's role in our world. Don't miss the opportunity to experience these captivating performances firsthand.
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