Take some of the most beloved music of all time, add in some of the most talented musicians in the world, and set the performances in charming venues all across town. It’s a trifecta that’s worked for the Magnolia Baroque Festival, a weeklong, biannual event that celebrates its fourth season this month.

Occurring June 16 though June 20, the festival has grown into one of the biggest Baroque events on the East Coast. Much of the repertoire comes from 1600 to 1750 Europe, but it also includes music with origins much closer to home.

“Most of it is stuff you’ve heard before,” notes Glenn Siebert, the festival’s founder and director. “There are works from composers like Bach, but we also have music from Old Salem.”

Funded predominantly by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute, the festival features a marked difference from other classical music events: All of the musicians perform with “period” instruments that are either reproductions or original instruments from the Baroque era.

And because the ensembles are limited to a handful of musicians and no conductor, there’s a lot of room for improvisation, spawning a classical music “jam session” of sorts.

It’s this combination of timeless music, antique instruments, and incredible talent that helps bring the Magnolia Baroque Festival to life.

“It’s astounding to see people’s reactions when they first come to a concert,” says Siebert, who will perform as a vocalist during the festival. “The music is powerful and moving. It will definitely have an effect on you.”

For information on performers, tickets, and more, call 336-721-1945 or go to magnoliabaroque.com