Carmel Bach Festival Collection, 1935-present

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Summary

Creators:
Carmel Bach Festival
Abstract:
Extent:
26 archival boxes
Language:
Preferred citation:

Carmel Bach Festival Collection. Harrison Memorial Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains photographs of various sizes, the majority of which are B&W 8x10’s, spanning from the 1930’s to the 1980s. There are contact prints and photographs bound together by plastic spiral binding. Also present are clippings about the Bach festival, issues of the Carmel Pine Cone, Carmel Valley Spectator, and programs from 1935-2020s.

Biographical / historical:

In 1935 Dene Denny and Hazel Watrous founded the Carmel Bach Festival on the premise that Carmel-by-the-Sea should become the epicenter of world-class music, art and cultural expression. Both women were musical producers, owners of the influential Dene-Watrous Gallery and well-known for their efforts in enhancing the cultural life of the Monterey Peninsula. The Festival began as a three-day festival of open rehearsals, events, and concerts with Ernst Bacon as guest conductor. In 1938, Gastone Usigli was named conductor, leading the Festival until his death in 1956. Dene Denny chose the next conductor, a young man named Sandor Salgo. Under Salgo's 36-year leadership the largely amateur Festival became professional, nationally recognized and extended to multiple weeks. Salgo's long tenure as a Stanford University professor created a link between musical sponsorship and the emerging study of historical performance practices and a rediscovery of Baroque music. When Salgo retired in 1991, Bruno Weil was named the Music Director and Conductor of the Carmel Bach Festival. During his seventeen years with the Festival, Maestro Weil has advanced the Festival's international reputation for artistic excellence, innovative programming and exciting new artists.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Nana Faridany; Eleanor Avila; and the Carmel Bach Festival.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Materials are open for research.

Terms of access:

The Henry Meade Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library does not hold copyright to these items. Permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder by the user.

Preferred citation:

Carmel Bach Festival Collection. Harrison Memorial Library

Location of this collection:
P.O. Box 800
Mission St & 6th Ave
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921, US
Contact:
(831) 624-1615
hml.localhist@gmail.com
Website