The Spreckels Organ Society presents the 37th Annual San Diego International Summer Organ Festival, the largest organ festival in the United States, featuring the Spreckels Organ, the largest open-air musical instrument in the world!
The summer-long festival – directed by Raúl Prieto Ramírez, Spreckels Organ Society’s Artistic Director and San Diego’s Civic Organist – takes place in the heart of Balboa Park, from July 7 through Sept. 1. The Society brings these special 90-minute concerts to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for free each Monday evening at 7:30 p.m.
“There is truly something for every music lover,” said Prieto Ramirez. “It’s all here! The Society is proud to present an explosion of styles, sounds, colors, and cultures in the heart of Balboa Park!
“With such a large variety, our focus is on serving the community,” adds Prieto Ramirez. “Nowhere else can a family take their kids to gain exposure to the purest of art forms, broaden their musical awareness, expand their musical joy, learn about new repertoires, and hear new and old styles far from mainstream.”
This season’s line-up includes acclaimed international organists and competition winners. Highlights are:
- Soprano Alisa Jordheim, who recently performed with San Diego Opera as Despina in Così fan tutte and Gilda in Rigoletto.
- An organ & orchestra celebration with concertos by Poulenc, Parker and Bach, plus a premier by Civic Organist Prieto Ramírez. Conducted by Alejandro Gómez Guillén with Raúl Prieto Ramírez (soloist), and Jeff Thayer (concertmaster).
- The Not-So-Silent Movie Night, featuring Laurel & Hardy films with Russ Peck, organist.
- And an all-Beatles Labor Day Classic Rock Concert to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the San Diego Beatles concert.
For the full Festival program, visit www.spreckelsorgan.org/summer-organ-festival.
In addition to the special summer performances, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion also hosts weekly concerts every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Through the generosity of the City of San Diego, the weekly Spreckels Organ Society concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion are also presented at no charge in accordance with the 1915 Deed of Gift whereby the brothers John and Adolph Spreckels gave the organ and pavilion to the City of San Diego. Donations are always accepted.
Set in the beautiful backdrop of Balboa Park’s open-air venue at 2125 Pan American Road, performances bring a one-of-a-kind experience for guests. The elevated music venue brings world-class musical artists for San Diegans and visitors to enjoy, for free, on the largest outdoor musical instrument in the world!
For more information about the Spreckels Organ Society, visit www.SpreckelsOrgan.org.
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