Pacific Baroque Festival

03/14/2026

The Festival would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to making the Pacific Baroque Festival 2026 another shining success, from the musicians to the volunteers to the sponsors to our dedicated, supportive audience! See you in 2027!

02/27/2026

Dear Patrons,

We regret to advise you that soprano Rachel Allen is indisposed, and under doctor’s orders to take vocal rest. As a result, we are very sorry to say that she will not be able to sing the cantatas planned for tonight’s “Spanish Connections” program at the Pacific Baroque Festival.

However, the good news is that artistic director Marc Destrube and the musicians have risen quickly and creatively to the occasion by locating and preparing, on extremely short notice, additional instrumental repertoire on the same theme, by some of the same composers and others of the era.

We look forward to seeing you this evening at Alix Goolden Performance Hall.

The Pacific Baroque Festival

02/24/2026

We’re going on tour!
The Pacific Baroque Festival is visiting 4 locations over 4 days, March 2-5 in locations North of Victoria:
March 2nd - Chemainus
March 3rd - Port Alberni
March 4th - Courtenay
March 5th - qathet (Powell River)

Tell your friends! And learn more here:

This intimate programme of music for violin, viola da gamba and guitar highlights the blossoming of Spanish baroque music after El Siglo de Oro (Spain’s “Golden Century”), combining the diverse cultures of the Hapsburg Empire which existed across Europe whilst drawing on Spain’s Moorish past...

02/11/2026

Soprano Rachel Allen returns to the Pacific Baroque Festival!

Fervour and Fantasy - Friday, February 27th 7:30pm Goolden Performance Hall

Based in London, England, this program will showcase soprano Rachel Allen, who first appeared in the Festival as a member of the Victoria Children's Choir (VCC)! Now, she is in great demand internationally for her interpretations of Baroque repertoire, singing the title roles in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Monteverdi’s Coronation of Poppea, and Blow’s Venus and Adonis.

She will be be joined by the Festival Ensemble in cantatas by Domenico Scarlatti and José de Nebra, as the Festival continues its exploration of music from baroque Spain!

Tickets on sale now! https://www.pacbaroque.com/fervourandfantasy

02/05/2026

Meet Luigi Boccherini!

The Italian cellist was a courtly icon, well studied in music in Rome and San Martino who began his career in Vienna before finding himself playing for the court of the exiled Spanish Infante Luis Antonio, who had committed the sin of marrying a commoner! 👑💍👒

However, this musical hermitage offered the ripe opportunity for Boccherini to hone his craft as a musician and composer. 🎻

‘If God wanted to speak to Man through music, He would do so through the works of Haydn; if He wished to listen to music Himself, He would choose Boccherini.’ (Cartier, in his anthology L’Art du violon, 1798)

Join us to hear the fruits of this labour on Saturday, February 28th when the Pacific Baroque Festival ensemble brings us A Night in Madrid with Luigi Boccherini. 💃

01/31/2026

Introducing this year's special guest organist, Abraham Ross!
Based in Vancouver, Abraham is an active organist, harpsichordist and music director. He enjoys collaborations with both living and historic composers by drawing on primary sources and current research.
The concert on Wednesday, February 25th @ Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC will explore music from the Iberian Peninsula! 🎼 🇵🇹 🇪🇸

01/21/2026

Bartolomé de Selma y Salaverde was a Spanish baroque composer, dulcien (baroque bassoon) player, and Augustinian friar. The Adam Driver look-alike will feature in our upcoming "Suave Melody and Spanish Folly" concert on Thursday, February 26 at 11am @ Alix Goolden Performance Hall

Get your tickets now!

12/30/2025

Join us on New Year’s Day for Old Music for a New Year!
January 1, 2026, 2:30-3:30pm Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC
Admission by donation.