Friday, November 13, 2026 12:00 p.m. All Souls' Episcopal Church 1475 Catalina Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

SHAKESPEARE'S SHADOW

For over 400 years, William Shakespeare has exerted an unparalleled influence on the culture of his native England extending beyond literature and poetry into music. Join BCSD in exploring two strikingly original and evocative suites of instrumental music by English composers from the 1670s and '80s, paired with readings from the literary works that inspired them.

Matthew Locke, incidental music from The Tempest; John Blow, music from Venus and Adonis

Friday, February 5, 12:00 p.m. All Souls' Episcopal Church 1475 Catalina Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

BACH'S HERITAGE

This program, featuring acclaimed bass-baritone Enrico Lagasca, offers a gripping survey of 17th-century North German solo cantata literature, including works by Franz Tunder, Nicolaus Bruhns, and Dieterich Buxtehude. The highly expressive style of this school of composition was a fundamental element in J.S. Bach's own musical language, as represented in the program's centerpiece, Ich habe genug.

Franz Tunder, O Jesu dulcissime; Nicolaus Bruhns, Der Herr hat seinen Stuhl im Himmel bereitet;  Dieterich Buxtehude, Mein herz ist bereit, BuxWV 73; Johann Sebastian Bach, Ich habe genug, BWV 82

Friday, March 5, 2027 12:00 p.m. All Souls' Episcopal Church 1475 Catalina Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

BEETHOVEN BICENTENNIAL: THE SEPTET, OP. 20

The year 2027 marks the 200th anniversary of the passing of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), whose music is often considered challenging and difficult to grasp even today. Yet, despite that reputation, Beethoven could also be memorably charming, as shown in the Septet in E-flat major, Op. 20, likely the single most popular and beloved piece he ever composed. Its groundbreaking instrumental colors, with clarinet, bassoon, and horn alongside the usual strings, will be presented in sharp relief via BCSD's period instruments.

Ludwig van Beethoven, Septet in E-flat major, Op. 20

Friday, April 9, 2027 12:00 p.m.  All Souls' Episcopal Church 1475 Catalina Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

LAS CANCIONES DE SOR JUANA

Our 2026–27 Bach at Noon series ends with music from two different centuries: a short set of motets by 17th-century Mexican composer Francisco López Capillas reimagined for period instrument ensemble, and a world premiere by Grammy Award-winning composer Herschel Garfein.  Las Canciones de Sor Juana, a cycle of songs scored for mezzo-soprano and period instrument chamber orchestra, is based on the extraordinary poetry of 17th-century Mexican writer and philosopher Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Garfein's musical language draws upon the styles of both the 17th and 21st centuries: Renaissance lute song fused with jazz harmony, Baroque ornamentation melding with contemporary Latin rhythms. BCSD audience favorite Cecilia Duarte joins as featured soloist. 

Francisco López Capillas, Cui luna, sol, et omnia and In horrore visionis nocturnae; Herschel Garfein, Las Canciones de Sor Juana