Berkeley Festival & Exhibition

==Berkeley Festival & Exhibition (BFX)==\n\nThe '''Berkeley Festival & Exhibition''' ('''BFX''') is a biennial event that has established itself as one of the world's premier gatherings for early music. Founded in 1990, BFX is produced by the San Francisco Early Music Society (SFEMS) and has been recognized by ''The New York Times'' as a \"remarkable institution on the American musical scene.\" The festival showcases a wide range of music from the Middle Ages to the mid-19th century, featuring both historically informed performances and contemporary interpretations.\n\n===History===\nThe festival was originally conceived by Robert Cole, the then-Director of Cal Performances, and the late Joseph Spencer, proprietor of the Berkeley institution The Musical Offering Café. Over the years, BFX has presented a variety of unique events, including performances by the Mark Morris Dance Group, equestrian ballets accompanied by period instruments, and the North American premiere of a long-lost Mass by Alessandro Striggio for 40 and 60 voices. Until his retirement in 2018, Cole served as the festival's artistic director. The 2022 edition marks the first in-person festival under the artistic direction of Derek Tam, SFEMS’ Executive Director.\n\n===Program===\nThe festival's program offers a rich tapestry of musical experiences, including main stage concerts, special events, and the Fringe series. The main stage concerts feature performances by leading exponents of early music, from Bay Area ensembles to national and international touring groups. Special events have included the EMA Young Performers Festival, the Well-Tempered Clavier Jamboree, and lectures on historical figures such as Clara Schumann.\n\nThe Fringe series is a collection of independently-produced concerts by soloists and ensembles from around the globe, ensuring a continuous flow of music between the main stage events. In 2018, over 70 Fringe concerts were held, and a similar number is expected in subsequent festivals.\n\n===Exhibition and Marketplace===\nA highlight of the festival is the Exhibition and Marketplace, a three-day event featuring historical instrument makers, music score publishers, book sellers, and providers of various paraphernalia related to early music. This bazaar serves as a hub for early music enthusiasts to gather and share their passion.\n\n===Outreach and Expansion===\nIn response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, BFX has expanded its offerings to include digital concert content, making the festival accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, the festival has broadened its geographical reach by including performances at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, alongside its traditional Berkeley venues.\n\n===Collaborations===\nBFX collaborates with several organizations to enrich its programming. Early Music America, the premier service organization for historically informed performance in North America, presents its Young Performers Festival and Emerging Artists Showcase at BFX, partially sponsored by a National Endowments for the Arts grant. The festival also partners with the Berkeley-Bucknell Chamber Music Collective and the Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies.\n\n===Legacy===\nThe Berkeley Festival & Exhibition continues to reimagine, reinvent, and redefine the experience of early music for modern audiences. Its dedication to presenting a diverse array of historical music, its support for young and emerging artists, and its role in fostering a community of early music enthusiasts contribute to its esteemed reputation in the musical world.\n\nFor more information and updates on the festival, including ticketing and upcoming events, interested parties can visit the official website at [https://berkeleyfestival.org/].\n\n[[Category:Music Festivals in the United States]]\n[[Category:Early Music Festivals]]\n[[Category:Events in Berkeley, California]]\n[[Category:Biennial Events]]