April 2019
MacCallum House Winemaker’s Dinner with Navarro Vineyards
A perfect pairing: scrumptious food from MacCallum House’s celebrated chef Alan Kantor and elegant wines from Navarro Vineyards. An all-inclusive bargain at $125, the evening includes hors d’oeuvres and wine at 6:00, followed by dinner with wine at 7:00.
Learn more and buy tickets »May 2019
Festival Chamber Chorale Presents Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes
Jenny Matteucci, conductor. Daniel Lockert and Susan Waterfall will play the duo-piano accompaniment. Enjoy the delights of Brahms’ Vienna, with pastries and a lovely springtime concert on Mother’s Day.
Learn more and buy tickets »July 2019
Sostenuto: A Celebration of Sustainability
Sostenuto 2019: From Memphis to Motown Friday, July 12, 2019, 6-9 pm At the spectacular oceanfront home of Linda and Fedele Bauccio. Celebrate all that the Festival represents—music, sustainable food, art, and nature, with a sumptuous al fresco dinner prepared by Bon Appétit Management Company and local organic wine provided by Frey Vineyards. In music, Sostenuto means to sustain. Just as Fedele Bauccio is committed to sustainable food, he contributes to the sustained future of the Festival through our amazing…
Learn more and buy tickets »BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Since forming in 1975, Grammy winners BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet have been making some of the most potent and popular Cajun music on the planet. Born out of the rich Acadian ancestry of its members, and created and driven by bandleader Doucet’s spellbinding fiddle playing and soulful vocals, BeauSoleil’s distinctive sound derives from the distilled spirits of New Orleans jazz, blues rock, folk, swamp pop, Zydeco, country, and bluegrass.
Learn more and buy tickets »Festival Orchestra 1, featuring Stephen Prutsman
To open the classical festival, Maestro Allan Pollack will lead the orchestra in Respighi’s evocative tone poem, Pines of Rome; Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, with its lyrical second movement; and Pictures at an Exhibition, the stunning suite Mussorgsky wrote in honor of a painter friend who died young.
Learn more and buy tickets »Piano Series: Robert Schwartz
Robert Schwartz is an active performer and a teacher in the Bay Area. His wide-ranging program will include Haydn’s Sonata in E-flat Major; Chopin’s Impromptus in G-flat Major and A-flat Major; Chopin’s Barcarolle Op. 60; and Brahms’ 8 Klavierstücke Op. 76.
Learn more and buy tickets »Sheléa
With hands that effortlessly glide over the keys and a voice that will carry you to the moon, Sheléa’s musical mastery makes her one of the most exhilarating up and coming artists today. While donning multiple hats of vocalist, songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer, Sheléa evokes the sultry energy of Whitney Houston and the piano chops and writing prowess of Alicia Keys.
Learn more and buy tickets »Calder Quartet
Back for a seventh year of sensitive and eloquent playing, the Calder will perform Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major; Daniel Bjarnason’s Still Shot; and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major Op. 130 (with Finale).
Learn more and buy tickets »Coro Mendocino Wine Tasting
Coro means choir or one voice in Spanish, Italian and Latin. It is one voice that brings together the best of Mendocino County grapes and wine. The wineries participating include Barra of Mendocino, Brutocao Family Vineyards, DNA Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Graziano Family of Wines, Greenwood Ridge, Golden Vineyards, Jaxon Keys, McFadden, Parducci and Testa. Join us for nibbles and a taste of these extraordinary wines.
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Piano Series: Robin Sutherland
By Tonality Joined Most known for his playing of Bach, Robin Sutherland will contrast some Bach works with pieces by other composers in the same key. This concert will pair Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp Major (BWV 848) with “partners,” the menuet movement of Ravel’s Sonatine, among others. After intermission, he will take us on an excursion from Bach’s Partita No. 2 in C minor (BWV 826) to Haydn’s Sonata in C minor (Hob XVI/20).
Learn more and buy tickets »Le Vent du Nord
The award=winning and highly acclaimed band Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Quebec’s progressive francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music (rooted in the Celtic diaspora) with a broad range of global influences.
Learn more and buy tickets »Piano Series: Spencer Myer and Mario Diaz-Moresco
Mario Diaz-Moresco, baritone; Spencer Myer, piano An afternoon of songs, old and new: Brahms, Schubert, and Barber will make up the first half; gems by Respighi, John Musto and Amy Beach will round out the program.
Learn more and buy tickets »Badi Assad, Diego Figueiredo
Brazil’s Badi Assad is lauded as one of the world’s most unique performance artists of this generation. She transcends traditional styles of her native Brazilian music with a mixture of pop, jazz and world/ethnic sounds from around the world. Combining an extraordinary guitar talent, unique mouth percussion and beautiful singing, Assad creates an exciting, fresh sound. Fellow Brazilian Diego Figueiredo, a virtuoso with an infectious, joyful feeling, is a fast-rising star among the world’s greatest jazz guitarists. His superb technique and imagination have made him one of the hottest international names as he unites a fusion of Brazilian music with jazz. Twice a winner at the Montreux Jazz Competition, Figueiredo is also a producer, arranger, orchestrator and multi-instrumentalist.
Learn more and buy tickets »Kathleen Grace
Kathleen Grace has forged a remarkable career that has sent her around the globe playing for audiences who appreciate her eclectic musical tastes that range from jazz, to blues, to indie folk. Following a year recording with the iconic Jim James (of My Morning Jacket) and performing with the chart-topping rock band, Portugal. The Man, Grace returns to the Music Festival performing her nostalgia-driven songs. Her upcoming albums, Tie Me to You and Like a Radio, feature unique collaborations with…
Learn more and buy tickets »Opera: L’Elisir d’Amore
Guest conductor Mary Chun. Stage director Ann Woodhead. Donizetti’s enduringly popular comic opera features a spunky and beautiful landowner, a poor but good-hearted country boy and a puffed up sergeant who vie with each other for her affections, and a quack doctor who specializes in love potions that may bring two of them together. But which two? Beautiful arias and duets fill this two-act opera. Aurelie Veruni, Adina; Kevin Gino, Nemorino; Daniel Cilli, Belcore; Bojan Knezevic, Dulcamara; Ana Lucas, Gianetta;…
Learn more and buy tickets »Alex de Grassi and Andrew York
Fingerstyle guitar master Alex de Grassi is the founder of the Mendocino Summer Guitar Workshop which runs concurrently with the Mendocino Music Festival. Grammy Award-winning classical guitarist, composer and guest workshop teacher Andrew York joins him again this year in a concert program featuring their solo and duo compositions and arrangements that blend the sonorities of steel-string and classical guitar. They will be joined by members of the Mendocino Summer Guitar Workshop in the premier of a composition for guitar…
Learn more and buy tickets »Festival Big Band: Tribute to Aretha, featuring Kim Nalley
With a reputation as one of the world’s best jazz and blues vocalists, Kim Nalley is back to join the big band musicians in a tribute to the incomparable Aretha Franklin. She has pipes to burn, a 3½ octave range that can go from operatic to gritty blues on a dime, and projection that can whisper a ballad yet is capable of filling a room with no microphone.
Learn more and buy tickets »Brahms: His Life and Times, featuring Susan Waterfall
Brahms’ momentous meeting with Clara and Robert Schumann when he was only 20 forged a bond of love and familial connection that lasted throughout Brahms’ and Clara’s lifetimes. Susan’s lecture will be supplemented with images and recorded examples. The two chamber concerts divide Brahms’ life roughly in half: before and after 1878, when he grew the bushy beard he was able to hide behind for the rest of his life.
Learn more and buy tickets »Ruthie Foster
Hailing from rural Texas, Foster is a singer-songwriter of blues and folk music. Mixing a wide palette of American song forms, from gospel and blues to jazz, folk and soul, she is often compared to Bonnie Raitt. Drawing influence from legendary acts like Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin, Foster has developed a unique sound not contained in a single genre. That sound echoes a common theme in Ruthie’s life and career—marching to the beat of her own drum.
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Ledford House: the Iconic Festival Dinner Party
Enjoy a delightful evening of gourmet food and music at one of the area’s leading restaurants, with premium wines generously supplied by Husch Vineyards, and an intimate musical performance by TBA. The Ledford House Restaurant is located seven miles South of Mendocino on Highway One in Albion, California. Its bluff top location on the Albion headlands allows panoramic views of the Pacific ocean and breathtaking sunsets. The Restaurant reflects the provencal style of Southern France, and accommodates 65 to 90…
Learn more and buy tickets »Brahms: Clean-Shaven
Susan Waterfall will play the Four Ballades Op. 10; Miles Graber, Larry Lowe, and Jay Zhong will essay the Horn Trio in E-flat Major Op. 40; and Carolyn Steinbuck, Jay Zhong, Tammie Dyer, Susan Freier, and Stephen Harrison will interpret the F minor Piano Quintet Op. 34.
Learn more and buy tickets »Carolyn Wonderland
A musical force equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray, Carolyn Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet. She hits the stage with unmatched presence, a true legend in her time.
Learn more and buy tickets »The Odd Dogs
The Odd Dogs’ sound is a melting pot of dynamic rock and world music, expressed through jazz and improvisational sensibilities. The band draws from a rich pallet of musical influences: Rush, Tool, Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck, Joe Zawinul, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, and Thelonious Monk. Each an accomplished musician in his own right, the members of The Odd Dogs have a combined 200+ years in the music world. Their versatility and experience is exactly what made it possible for them…
Learn more and buy tickets »Festival Orchestra 2, featuring Spencer Myer
Festival Orchestra with pianist Spencer Myer The concert will open with Mendelssohn’s evocative concert overture, The Hebrides; long-time crowd favorite Spencer Myer will bring his warm and intelligent interpretation of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54; and Brahms’ last symphony, No. 4 in E minor Op. 98 will wrap up the evening.
Learn more and buy tickets »Brahms: Bearded
Susan Waterfall and Eric Kritz will play the Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F minor Op. 120; Christopher Nomura and Daniel Lockert will sing Vier Ernste Gesänge; and Jay Zhong, Tammie Dyer, Susan Freier, Stephen Harrison, and Danny Sheu will play the String Quintet No. 2 in G Major Op. 111, “Prater.”
Learn more and buy tickets »Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
Grammy-award winner Peter Rowan is a singer-songwriter who started his career as a Blue Grass Boy in 1964. By Bill Monroe’s own admission, Peter sounded a lot like him and when the two harmonized, they were said to have reached “heavenly heights.” The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band is made up of outstanding musicians; joining guitarist Peter Rowan are Keith Little, banjo; Paul Knight, bass; Chris Henry, mandolin; and Blaine Sprouse, fiddle. The band plays original songs written by Rowan along…
Learn more and buy tickets »Emerging Artists Concert 2019
The annual recital by the enormously talented young string players from the festival’s Emerging Artists Program is anticipated by all who love chamber music.
Learn more and buy tickets »Sweet Honey in the Rock®
Sweet Honey is a well-known Grammy Award-winning (and many times nominated) a cappella ensemble that expresses their history as African American women through song, dance, and sign language. Rooted in the hymns, gospel music, and spirituals, the troupe seeks to preserve and extend the traditions of African American vocal music while addressing the critical issues of our time. This vibrant group educates, entertains, and empowers with a compelling theatrical flair and beautiful singing. There will be a sign language interpreter…
Learn more and buy tickets »Business Casual
Bay Area vocal band Business Casual explores a wide range of genres including pop, jazz, soul, folk and swing to produce fresh a cappella versions of vintage chart toppers, today’s top 40 hits, and award-winning original songs. In 2018, Business Casual was named National Champion at the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival and their first original single, “Ain’t No Way,” was released. With the powerful leads, floor-thumping bass, and sizzling beats in this energetic show, audiences can’t believe the singers…
Learn more and buy tickets »Festival Orchestra 3, featuring the Festival Chorus
Festival Orchestra and Chorus The season finale will feature Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major; Brahms’ orchestrally-accompanied choral work, Schicksalslied Op. 54; and Beethoven’s great choral Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 125, with soloists Shawnette Sulker, Betany Coffland, Christòpheren Nomura, and Alex Boyer.
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