Carmel Bach Festival

The Carmel Bach Festival (CBF) began in 1935 as a four-day series of concerts at the Sunset School Auditorium and the Carmel Mission Basilica in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States.

History
Dene Denny and Hazel Watrous booked their own concerts and events in 1925 and 1926 in their American Craftsman-style home in Carmel-by-the-Sea, on the east side of Dolores Street, now called "Harmony House."

In 1927, Hazel and Dene organize a group of local music lovers to establish the Carmel Music Society, a non-profit organization devoted to bringing the "finest talent in the classical music world to Carmel." In collaboration between Henry F. Dickinson and his wife Edith, and Hazel and Dene, they played a pivotal role in the formation of the Carmel Music Society. Henry became the organization's first treasurer and Edith served as one of its first presidents. The Henry Dickinson House, situated on Carmel Point, served as a gracious host to visiting musicians.

In 1935, the Carmel Music Society co-sponsored the establishment of the Carmel Bach Festival. The Carmel Bach Festival began as a four-day festival of open rehearsals, events, and concerts conducted by Ernst Bacon and Gastone Usigli.

In 1938, Gastone Usigli was named Music Director, leading the Festival until his death in 1956. As his successor Dene Denny chose Hungarian-born conductor Sandor Salgo.

When Salgo retired in 1991, Bruno Weil was named the Music Director and Conductor of the Carmel Bach Festival. Maestro Weil concluded his tenure with the 2010 Festival.

2020 saw its season voided caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also voided from 1942 to 1945 due to WWII.