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Friday May 4 - 3:00 p.m.
Tea and Trumpets
Nona's Courtyard Cafe, 67 S. California Street, Ventura
A perennial favorite. Two afternoons of "brassy" fun in Nona's Courtyard, the perfect atmosphere to enjoy these lively entertainers with a delightful English High Tea. The Festival Brass is always a delight.
Friday May 4 - 7:15p.m.
Federico Mondelci
Community Presbyterian Church, 1555 Poli St., Ventura
Mondelci brings a rich, jazzy appeal to Piazzolla's hauntingly beautiful melo- dies; he seems to have a real feel for the music's power and gustiness, as well as its gentle tenderness.
Saturday May 5 - 7:15 p.m.
Alexander Schimpf
Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Drive, Ventura
"Mr. Schimpf is a skilled interpreter of Bach - one of the few artists whose technical excellence allows for Bach's music to sing through at its purest and most sublime," says Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta. Known for his "expressive power and passion" Schimpf will perform Bach, Beethoven and Ravel.
Sunday May 6 - 2:00 p.m.
Tiempo Libre
Ventura College Green, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura
Three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban jazz sensation Tiempo Libre brings to the annual Sunday outdoor Ventura College Green concert an infectious rhythm and fresh Latin grooves. Their music is a fiercely intense mix of Latin jazz color and danceable Afro-Cuban rhythms, often combined with classical forms ala their "Bach in Havana" recording, a favorite of Artist Director Nuvi Mehta. As teen-agers growing up in Havana, Tiempo Libre developed their signature timba sound while secretly listening to forbidden American music. Bring a folding chair, picnic basket and your family for a perfect afternoon in an idyllic setting!
Tuesday May 8 - 7:30 p.m.
Emerson String Quartet
Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Drive, Ventura
Needing no introduction for classical music devotees, the revered Emerson String Quartet is considered by many as the foremost chamber ensemble in the world. With an unparalleled list of achievements over three decades, including more than thirty acclaimed recordings, nine Grammy awards, including two for Best Classical Album and the coveted Avery Fisher Prize, the Emerson String Quartet has graced the stages of all the word's music capitals and continues to perform with their benchmark mastery, energy and commitment.
Thursday May 10 - 7:30 p.m.
Rising Stars
First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara Street, Ventura
Catch the stars of tomorrow in the Festival's annual "Rising Stars" Thursday concert. These award-winning, talented young artists will inspire the area's young student musicians as well as delight the seasoned Festival attendee. A perfect concert to which to bring your children and grandchildren. This season's rising stars are:14-year-old, award-winning pianist, David Fraley and 19-year-old Julliard-trained violinist, Jourdan Urbach.
Friday May 11 - 3:00 p.m.
Tea and Trumpets
Nona's Courtyard Cafe, 67 S. California Street, Ventura
A perennial favorite. The Festival Brass is always a delight.
Friday May 11 - 8:00 p.m.
Pablo Villegas
Community Presbyterian Church, 1555 Poli St., Ventura
Fans of classical guitar must experience Pablo S‡inz Villegas, the charismatic virtuoso from Spain, now considered by many critics as one of the world's greats. After capturing the Gold Medal at the inaugural Christopher Parkening International Guitar Competition in 2006, Mr. S‡inz Villegas has performed in more than twenty countries on such prestigious stages as New York's Carnegie Hall, Milan's Sala Verdi and Moscow's Tchaikovsky Theater and amassed more than twenty-five international awards.
Saturday May 12 - 8:00 p.m.
Nicole Cabell
Ventura High School Auditorium, 2 N. Catalina Street, Ventura
With her distinctively creamy, lyrical voice, described as "liquid gold," by the Times of London and as "one of the most beautiful soprano voices of our time," by the Chicago Classical Review, international opera sensation and native Venturan Nicole Cabell closes the 2012 season with impressive Mozart tenor, Shawn Mathey. Cabell was the 2005 winner of the BBC Cardiff "Singer of the World" competition, the most prestigious competition in the world of voice. Since then she has garnered rave reviews for engagements across the globe from Vienna to Oslo and New York to London, recently performing at the Royal Opera House of London, Oper Koln, Deutsche Oper, Berlin and the New York City Metropolitan Opera. She is scheduled to make her debut at the San Francisco Opera later this year in a leading role. Ventura Music Festival first engaged Ms. Cabell in 2008, when she sang to an adoring audience in a sold-out performance at Ventura High Auditorium.