SC Bach, South Carolina’s Bach Society, announces the second annual South Carolina Baroque Music Festival, happening in Greenville, May 15-17, 2026. The weekend-long festival features Baroque-specialist musicians performing concerts unlike any others found in the state – using Baroque period instruments and Baroque tuning. Daytime events are free, and evening events are ticketed.
This year’s theme is “Baroque Beyond Borders,” and features local, regional, national, and international performers.
The Baroque Era of music generally encompasses the years 1600-1750. Handel and Vivaldi are two of the most famous Baroque composers whose music can be heard at the festival. Attendees will also hear music by other Baroque composers, some of whom are little known outside their countries of origin.
Each day of the festival celebrates Baroque music from different areas of the world: Italy, Spain and the New World, and England. Six concerts will be performed over the weekend, along with two lectures and an Italian wine tasting on Friday evening.
The festival begins Friday at noon, with a free Lunch-and-Learn on Handel’s “Messiah” with Dr. David Rhyne, SC Bach’s Artistic Director, and Dr. Gary Malvern, retired Furman music faculty. One of Handel’s most famous pieces, the “Messiah” will be the closing performance of the festival.
“SC Bach is excited to contribute to the already vibrant arts scene in Greenville by bringing a truly unique array of music, performers, and events to the Upstate,” said Dr. David Rhyne, the organization’s Artistic Director. Visiting ensembles include Música Ficta, based in Colombia, South America, and the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. Both groups use instruments constructed and played in the same ways as they would have been during the Baroque era, which differ from modern instruments in sound quality and appearance.
According to Jessica Sharp, SC Bach’s Executive Director, “There’s something for everyone at the festival, including families.”