Staunton Music Festival presents its fifth annual BaroqueFest this April! BaroqueFest 2026: La Bella Italia assembles 28 superlative musicians for a sumptuous journey to Italy, including music by Italian masters and those who traveled to and through Italian lands. Featured works include Handel's brilliant first oratorio "Il Trionfo del tempo e del Disinganno" (1707); Vivaldi's "Magnificat"; concertos by Bach, Handel, Geminiani, and Vivaldi; a celebration of music at Dresden, the "Venice of the North"; and chamber and vocal music by A. Scarlatti, Pasquini, Lully, F. Caccini, Marenzio, Corelli, Monteverdi, and many others.

All concerts feature acclaimed period-instrument performers. Nine programs include music for voices, orchestra, and chamber ensembles and feature historical keyboards. Plus enjoy a deep-dive into Handel's Italian journey with an extended lecture over coffee and dessert just prior to the finale concert.