Festival Amadeus brings week of classical music to town

The Glacier Symphony and Chorale is gearing up for Festival Amadeus, a classical concert series in its seventh season.

The week-long festival, held this year from Aug. 8-14, is centered in Whitefish, but also includes performances in Bigfork. Each night of the festival features guest artists performing in either a chamber or full orchestra show at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. Three chamber concerts will be held concurrently in Bigfork.

The festival week also includes activities like open rehearsals with the guest artists and special educational events and receptions. Free festival educational events and receptions will be announced closer to the event.

Although Festival Amadeus is focused on the music of Mozart (hence the name), it also offers diverse repertoire performed by a lineup of highly acclaimed guest soloists. Highlights this year include concerti by Mozart and Schumann, symphonies by Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert and an overture by Mozart’s famous rival, Antonio Salieri.

Two of the featured guest artists this year are Belarus clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov and pianist Misuzu Tanaka. This will be the first appearance at Festival Amadeus (and in Montana) for both performers.

Glacier Symphony and Chorale produces the Festival under the baton of conductor and music director, John Zoltek.

All Whitefish concerts will be performed in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, located at 600 Second St. E., Whitefish. The Bigfork concert series will be held at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, located at 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork. All concerts in both venues begin at 7:30 p.m.

Three types of passes are available for purchase for the festival. A Full Pass includes one reserved seat for each of the concerts during the festival. These tickets are fully transferable, so people are free to purchase the package and share them with visitors or neighbors during the festival. The Pick-4 Pass allows audience members to select the four concerts they would like to attend during the week. These tickets are also fully transferable.

There is also a Bigfork Pass available for access to all three chamber concerts performed in Bigfork at a discounted price.

Single tickets are available for purchase in advance or at the door and are all reserved seating in Whitefish and general admission in Bigfork.

Ticket prices and availability vary.

For more information, pricing and availability, or to purchase tickets and pass packages, visit www.gscmusic.org or call 406-407-7000.