The Early Music Vancouver (EMV) Summer Festival demonstrates the “Power of Music” as it brings centuries of music history to the stage. Curated by EMV Artistic and Executive Director Suzie LeBlanc and Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO) Director Alexander Weimann, the festival runs from July 31 to August 7 at venues around the city.
“Together,” says LeBlanc, “we are thrilled to create a festival that celebrates music’s ability to move, transform, and connect us.” Spanning repertoires from the Middle Ages to early opera and masterworks by Bach, Vivaldi, Schubert, and Beethoven, the festival traces the foundations of Western music through performances of exceptional depth and vitality.”
Anchored by two landmark works, the Festival opens on July 31 with a fully staged production of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, featuring a cast of twelve singers, an array of rarely heard period instruments, in a full staging complete with lighting, costumes, and projections. On August 7, the festival concludes with Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, led by internationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Podger, who will guest direct the PBO.
Holding a spotlight on the artists of the future, EMV’s Next Generation program features a performance by emerging trio COMTESSA, their concert, Florilegium, weaves English medieval songs into a poetic meditation on the lifecycle of flowers.
EMV’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence, the versatile “sometimes tenor, sometimes baritone” Marc Mauillon, will appear throughout the festival; singing the title role in L’Orfeo, as well as intimate performances including Pien d’Amoroso Affetto, a programme for voice and harp with harpist Angélique Mauillon, andSongline,a unique outdoor concert experience that unfolds along a guided hike through Malcolm Knapp Research Forest.
With an epic scope and scale, EMV’s Summer Festival offers an ideal entry point for new audiences and a must-attend destination for early music lovers. Ahead of the official festival dates, EMV offers the opportunity to experience the refined steps of 17th- and 18th-century dances brought to life with free outdoor concert, Baroque In Motion on Granville Island featuring early dance expert Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière accompanied by the Gallo Chamber Players performing live on July 21 at Noon and 2pm at the Island Plaza
The Festival lineup includes:
Monteverdi’s Orfeo
July 31, 2026 @ 7:30PM at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, 6265 Crescent Road
Featuring a full staging and cast of singers performing with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra
Idan Cohen with Cellist Elinor Frey Bach DancesAugust 1 @ 1pm & 7:30pm at The Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street
Created by Ida Cohen with Elinor Frey on cello
Bach & Weimann The Compass RoseAugust 1, 2026 at 3pm at West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Avenue
Featuring Alexander Weimann on organ
Pien d’amoroso affetto… / With Amorous AffectionsAugust 4, 2026 @ 1pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street
Featuring, singer Marc Mauillon with Angélique Mauillon on harp
John Dowland’s Lachrimæ, or Seven TearsAugust 4, 2026 @ 7:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street
Directed by Lucas Harris
Songline: Musical HikeAugust 6, 2026 @ 11am at Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, 14500 Silver Valley Road
Featuring vocals of EMV artist in residence Marc Mauillon
COMTESSA Medieval Ensemble FlorilegiumAugust 5, 2026 @ 1pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street
Featuring COMTESSA the rising trio of Len Torrie, voice, Isabelle Douilly-Blackman, medieval fiddle; Maria Gajraj, organetto
Franz Schubert Die schöne MüllerinAugust 5, 2026 @ 7:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street
With baritone Tyler Duncan and Erika Switzer on fortepiano
Beethoven & Schubert TriosAugust 6, 2026 @ 7:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street
performed by Alan Choo on violin, Jaap ter Linden on cello and David Breitman on piano
Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four SeasonsAugust 7, 2026 @ 7:30pm at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, 6265 Crescent Road
Performed by Rachel Podger on solo violin leading the Pacific Baroque Orchestra with soprano Myriam Leblanc and baritone Marc Mauillon
EMV Summer Festival 2026: The Power of Music runs July 31 to August 7, 2026 plus the free performance, Baroque in Motion on Granville Island July 21.
For more information and tickets visit earlymusic.bc.ca.