BOISE, Idaho — The Boise Baroque Orchestra has announced its 2026 Summer Music Festival, A Musical Passport, an imaginative three-concert series that invites audiences on a journey through the music, culture, and artistry of the Baroque and Classical eras. Spanning Spain, revolutionary America, and the grand courts of Europe, the festival showcases the orchestra’s commitment to historically inspired performance while creating engaging and accessible experiences for modern audiences curated by Interim Artistic Director, Daniel Wiley.
Founded in 2003, the Boise Baroque Orchestra has become one of Idaho’s premier classical ensembles, known for bringing the vitality, elegance, and drama of early music to life through performances that are both authentic and inviting. This summer’s festival continues that tradition with richly curated programs performed in two distinctive Treasure Valley venues.
Saturday performances will take place at Cathedral of the Rockies in downtown Boise at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday performances will be held outdoors at Château des Fleurs in Eagle at 8:00 p.m., offering audiences the opportunity to experience the same music in two unique settings.
A NIGHT IN SPAIN (August 8 & 9)
The festival opens with a musical voyage to Spain through three remarkable artistic perspectives. Luigi Boccherini’s Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid vividly recreates the sounds and atmosphere of Madrid after dark, transporting listeners through bustling streets, military processions, and evening festivities. A suite from André Campra’s L’Europe Galante reflects the French Baroque fascination with Spanish culture and style, blending elegance and theatrical flair. The evening concludes with Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga’s Symphony in D Major, a brilliant and energetic work by the composer often referred to as the “Spanish Mozart.”
1776 (August 15 & 16)
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding era, 1776 explores the musical world surrounding the birth of a nation. William Billings’ Chester, one of the defining hymns of the American Revolution, captures the determination and spirit that shaped the colonial experience. Anna Amalia’s Overture to Erwin und Elmire offers a glimpse into the sophistication of European court culture during the same period, while Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 61, composed in 1776, brings audiences directly into the sound world of the late eighteenth century.
¡MASQUERADE! (September 5 & 6)
The festival concludes with an evening of theatrical spectacle, ceremony, and celebration. Music from Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Castor et Pollux and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Oboe d’Amore Concerto in A Major, featuring Dwight Parry, Principal Oboe of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, evokes the elegance and grandeur of courtly life. Selections from Henry Purcell’s Abdelazer bring the evening to a vibrant close, accompanied by youth dancers from Ballet Idaho.
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Alongside the concert series, the Boise Baroque Orchestra will once again present the Boise Baroque Summer Institute, an educational program designed for advanced high school musicians interested in historically informed performance. Participants work directly with Boise Baroque Orchestra musicians and faculty through rehearsals, coaching sessions, masterclasses, and side-by-side performance opportunities. The Institute provides young musicians with an immersive experience in Baroque style and technique while fostering mentorship and artistic growth.
Tickets for all performances are available now. For tickets, concert details, and information about the Boise Baroque Summer Institute, visit https://boisebaroque.org.
