Founded in 1986, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra performs music from the Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic eras on period instruments with close attention paid to the stylistic considerations of the time in which the piece was written. The Philharmonia Chorale was founded in 1995 to collaborate with the orchestra in the performance of vocal works. The Philharmonia’s concerts feature a strong programmatic element, focusing on topics such as the Italian Baroque recorder and the legendary castrato Farinelli.
To supplement its concert offerings, Philharmonia Baroque offers several different educational programs, including Mobile Mentors, which enables student ensembles to learn directly from a member of the orchestra. In conjunction with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Historical Performance Program, the orchestra presents free master classes and lectures. The Concert Access Partnership Program provides concert tickets for those who might not otherwise be able to attend.
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Information
- Venues: Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco); First Congregational Church (2345 Channing Way, Berkeley); Center for Performing Arts at Menlo-Atherton High School (555 Middlefield Road, Atherton); and First United Methodist Church (625 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto)
- Public Transportation: Good for all locations. Herbst Theatre (a 5-minute walk from several buses, light rail lines F, J, K, L, M, N, and T, and BART trains at the Civic Center station); First Congregational Church (a short walk from AC Transit buses 1, 1R, 49, and 51B at Durant Avenue/Dana Street, and a 10-minute walk from the Downtown Berkeley BART station); Center for Performing Arts at Menlo-Atherton High School (steps from SamTrans buses 83, 296, 297, and 397 at Middlefield Road/Ravenswood Avenue, and a 12-minute walk from the Menlo Park CALTRAIN station); First United Methodist Church (a 4-minute walk from VTA bus 35 at Homer Avenue/Webster Street, and a 12-minute walk from several SamTrans buses and the CALTRAIN at the Palo Alto station)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good for all venues
- Performances/Programs: 28 performances, seven programs, plus one Family Concert and two free Student Concerts
- Ticket Prices: Tickets start at $25; student rush tickets are available for $10. Family Concert—Adults $10, children 17 and under $5
- Subscriptions: Trio Series (3 concerts) $70–$260; Quartet Series (4 concerts) $91–$350; Full Series (all 7 concerts) $149–$570, with prices varying by seat selection. Depending on the series package, benefits include free ticket exchange, priority seating, same-seat guarantee, discount on additional tickets, and more
- Donor Levels: Camerata ($150–$1,249); Cognoscenti ($1,250–$4,999); Arcangeli ($5,000–$9,999); Guarneri ($10,000–$24,999); Maestri ($25,000–$49,999); and Stradivari ($50,000+). Depending on the amount donated, benefits include program recognition, open rehearsal invitations, special events, complimentary tickets, and more.
