Hello 2025! It’s the start of a new year that marks the first quarter of this century. Looking back over this span of 25 years and the arts covered in this column, I note that this period is bracketed by the creation of two superb state-of-the-art performance spaces in Carmel. The renovation of Carmel’s Sunset Center took place at the beginning of the century, and Pacific Repertory Company’s Golden Bough Playhouse reopened at the end of 2024. Since the early decades of the 20th century, both historic theaters have played key roles in the artistic life of the Monterey Peninsula. It’s a tribute to the dedication to the arts by members of our Central Coast communities that these halls and the presenters that use them continue to thrive.

I’m also reflecting on how Sunset Center’s two most prominent classical music presenters have evolved over the past 25 seasons. When the new hall opened, German conductor and music director Bruno Weil led the world-class Carmel Bach Festival. Since then, the summer Festival has enjoyed musical leadership by British conductor Paul Goodwin followed by Norwegian music director Grete Pedersen, who recently joined the ensemble. Along the way, four executive directors have overseen Carmel Bach’s administrative activities. Since the turn of this century, three conductors have led the Monterey Symphony: Kate Tamarkin, Max Bragado-Darman and Jayce Ogren, who is now in his third season with the orchestra. Both organizations are flourishing and continue to be cornerstones of our rich classical music heritage.

Classical music

This month, the musical fare includes concerts by Sunset’s two other historic presenting partners, Carmel Music Society and Chamber Music Monterey Bay. The fabulous Whiffenpoofs arrive next week to sing in Carmel Valley, and this weekend, local ensemble Madregalia presents its first program of the season. Here they are in order of appearance.

Madregalia’s New Year’s concert at All Saints Episcopal Church in Carmel takes place on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. According to music director Jeff DeMarco, the program offers a variety of vocal and instrumental works, including major works by Giovanni Gabrieli and Michael Praetorius. Members of the Pastyme Consort will be featured as well, on violins, viols, shawm, dulcian and recorders, joined by a trio of sackbuts (early trombones) led by Carmel Bach Festival’s Sue Mudge and showcasing the Festival’s Greg Smith on natural trumpet. For tickets and information see www.pastymemusic.com.

The Whiffenpoofs, Yale University’s acclaimed a cappella group, return to St. Dunstan’s on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. Founded in 1909, the Whiffenpoofs began as a senior quartet that met for weekly concerts at Mory’s Temple Bar, the famous Yale tavern in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, the group of 14 singers remains a celebrated Yale tradition with more than a century of musical excellence. Long a group of male voices performing more than 200 concerts each year, the chorus finally became co-ed in 2018. They’ll sing a mix of old Yale tunes, jazz standards, and more, decked out in white tie and tails. Though performing at such prestigious theaters as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center, they feel most at home on their perennial Monday night engagement at Mory’s. The Yale Club of Monterey County is a co-sponsor of the Whiffenpoofs performance with St. Dunstan’s. Tickets available at https://whiffs.ticketbud.com/whiffenpoofs-in-monterey and at the door on the day of the performance. For more information call (831) 624-6646 or see stdcv.org.

Chamber Music Monterey Bay continues its 58th season with a Sunset Center appearance by the Isidore String Quartet on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Praised for “polished sonority and well-balanced, tight synchronization with nearly faultless intonation,” this gifted young ensemble will perform Five Pieces for String Quartet by Erwin Schulhoff, Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E-flat Major, op. 44, Carrot Revolution composed by Gabriella Smith in 2015, and Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major. The curiously titled Carrot Revolution is described as celebrating new ways of looking at old things through contrasting influences, including Bach, Bartók, Gregorian chant, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, bluegrass, and more. Now, that is an intriguing description of a musical journey!

Isadore, formed just five years ago, won the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2022 and received an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2023. The concert will be preceded by a 30-minute talk by musicologist Ian Scarfe at 6:30. For tickets and information see www.chambermusicmontereybay.org or call (831) 625-2212.

Carmel Music Society presents pianist Hans Boepple on Jan.19, at 3 p.m. at Sunset Center. Beopple is a Steinway International Artist with a distinguished reputation who has appeared in past seasons with the Society.

Known for his rich musicality and technical command, he debuted with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at age 10, launching a career of more than 50 years. In addition to his solo recitals, he has appeared as a guest artist with orchestras throughout North America. His program begins with J.S. Bach’s Italian Concerto in F Major, followed by Alexander Scriabin’s Nocturne for the Left Hand, Chopin’s Ballade No. 4 in F minor, and Variations on an Original Theme by Brahms.

For tickets and more information see www.carmelmusic.org or call (831) 625-9938.

Carmel Bach Festival music director and conductor Grete Pedersen is in town and will be announcing the music for the 88th season in July, which will be organized around the theme of Dialogues. So far all I know is that Mendelssohn’s overture to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Mozart’s Jupiter symphony will be presented this summer. I will have more information for you as soon as possible.

Pedersen says, “As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with moments of truly great music — moments that have stayed with me, inspired me, and reminded me why I dedicate myself to this art form. Music has a unique way of bridging time, connecting us to the past while guiding us toward the future … Our upcoming season is designed to spark conversations, conversations between artists and audiences, timeless masterpieces and modern works and our collective past and the future we strive to create. Dialogues between our tiny little Earth and the infinite universe—a curious exploration between the tangible and the incomprehensible.”New Canon Theater

New Canon Theater has announced its new season, “Identity and Conflict,” a series that explores the complexities of heritage, identity, and societal tensions through timeless and contemporary works. “An Iliad” is a reimagining of Homer’s Trojan War epic, a solo retelling that brings the ancient tale into modern life. The production will also involve Monterey County school systems to offer workshops and performances for students.

Shakespeare’s Othello will be set as intimate chamber production and an irreverent reimagining of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” called “Life Sucks” will be offered this season along with the Tony Award-winning play “Appropriate” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, described as a gripping exploration of family dynamics and buried secrets.

Established in 2022, the New Canon Theatre Company is a professional performing arts organization working in found and temporary spaces. For more information see www.newcanontheatre.org or call (831) 283-0242.