Singer

Handel’s cantata Apollo & Dafne was written in Venice when he was just 24 years old. It tells the story of Apollo’s vanity as he suggests that even Cupid’s bow is no match for his own. Challenging Apollo’s boastfulness, Cupid shoots his arrows and Apollo falls prey to rapturous yearnings for Dafne. She spurns his advances and, in a desperate effort to escape, is transformed into a laurel tree.
Love brings life to a statue in Rameau's Pygmalion. The protagonist sculptor has carved a beautiful marble figure and has fallen desperately in love with his inanimate work of art. He faithfully entreats Venus to turn his handiwork into a breathing, captivating, and singing creature. Love inspires a miracle and triumphs over longing.

EPSG:4326

Harmonious Love

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Davis Community Church

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, San Francisco

This is the most frequently performed opera in the entire repertoire, though West Bay Opera has only presented it 8 times in the last 65 years. Our last production was in May 2010.  The libretto is adapted from a play based on the novel "La dame aux camélias" by Alexandre Dumas fills.   Although its La Fenice premiere was a failure, apparently due to casting problems, it was presented again a year later at another venue in Venice and it became a major success, quickly traveling around Europe and to the US. La traviata became the standard against which the work of a whole generation of composers was measured. Even Puccini was warned against presenting La bohème, because the parallels in the story would invite comparisons with Verd's work.  Though topically it has become a period piece, it remains a mastepiece of operatic writing, including some of the most famous arias and ensembles in the entire operatic repertoire. A good Traviata production makes for a fabulous night at the opera.

La traviata

Lucie Stern Community Theatre

Four emerging vocal stars from our VBA Masterclass program perform Baroque masterpieces with members of the Festival Orchestra.

The Carmel Bach Festival 36th annual Vocal Masterclass is comprised of Morgan Balfour, soprano; Kristen Dubenion-Smith, mezzo-soprano; Jacob Perry, tenor; and Ryne Cherry, baritone.

In a typical season, the VBA quartet comes to Carmel in July to train with Festival artists, and explore ways to communicate Baroque repertoire more vividly. In a light-hearted atmosphere of discovery, the VBA Master Class participants experience a wealth of vocal music and examine all aspects of style, technique, communication, language, performance skills, and artistry.

The Master Classes are held at the Carmel Presbyterian Church and are free and open to the public.


The Adams Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist MICHAEL BEATTIE is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Associate Conductor ANDREW MEGILL (Director of Choral Activities at the Univ. of Illinois) and by Festival vocal soloists from the US and UK.

Morgan Balfour

Soprano

Events

5 - 8 May, 2023

Harmonious Love · American Bach Soloists

14 - 23 Oct, 2022

La traviata · West Bay Opera

Jul 30, 2022

Virginia Best Adams Showcase Concert · Carmel Bach Festival

About

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