Festival Amadeus fills the Valley with music
INVOKE, four young virtuoso musicians whose cross-over music spans classical to contemporary, will perform during this year's Festival Amadeus.
Violinist Tim Fain is one of the many musicians to perform during this year’s Festival Amadeus.
Internationally acclaimed cellist, Inbal Segev, will perform during this year’s Festival Amadeus.
Glacier Symphony has planned a grand week of classical and classical spinoffs for Festival Amadeus Aug. 6 to 12 in Whitefish.
Festival music director John Zoltek has organized a stellar lineup of classical artists to perform in the three orchestra concerts and three cabaret chamber nights. Artists performing this year include Tim Fain, a charismatic violinist known for his film appearance in “The Black Swan” and work with composer Philip Glass; Inbal Segev, a renowned cellist who hails from Israel; Alon Goldstein, piano, another Israel native who studied under Zubin Mehta; INVOKE, a cross-over string quartet who add mandolin, banjo and voice to their repertoire.
Adding to the musical mix will be “The Soldier’s Tale,” a quirky work by Stravinsky. The “Faustian” story of good versus evil will be performed by three actors and seven select musicians including the prominent actor David Ackroyd as narrator; actress Pam Ponich, playing the devil; and opera singer, Andrew Surrena, as the soldier.
New this year will be an Amadeus Reception on Monday, Aug. 6, to meet the festival musicians, acclaimed soloists and Maestro Zoltek. It is included for pick-three and Full Festival Pass holders. Also new will be cabaret seating during the three chamber night concerts where audience members can choose to sit at tables and enjoy a beverage while listening to the concert, or opt for traditional concert seating.
Festival guest artists will share their stories in “Musical Journey” talks held in conjunction with Camp Festival Amadeus that runs concurrently during the week. The camp is facilitated by North Valley Music School with support from the Whitefish Rotary Club.
Festival Amadeus Concert Lineup: (all concerts begin at 7:30 pm, note venue changes)
“Amadeus Reception” Monday, Aug. 6, O’Shaughnessy Center
Meet and mix with the musicians at this casual gathering including hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and desserts provided for multi-concert pass holders.
“Summer Pastoral” Orchestra Night 1, Tuesday, Aug. 7, Whitefish Performing Arts Center
This evocative collection of music will feature the internationally acclaimed cellist, Inbal Segev performing Haydn’s Cello Concert No. 2 along with the dreamy summer sounds of Honegger.
Inbal Segev’s playing has been described as “delivered with impressive fluency and style,” by The Strad. Segev has performed as soloist with acclaimed orchestras internationally and made her debuts with the Berlin Philharmonic and Israel Philharmonic, led by Zubin Mehta, at age 17.
“INVOKE in concert ‘Americana’” Chamber Night 1, Wednesday, Aug. 8, O’Shaughnessy Center
A string quartet with mandolin and banjo? That’s INVOKE, four young virtuoso musicians whose cross-over music spans classical to contemporary. INVOKE personnel includes Nick Montopoli on violin and banjo, Zach Matteson on violin, Karl Mitze on viola and mandolin and Geoff Manyin on cello.
“The Soldiers Tale” Chamber Night 2, Thursday, Aug. 9, O’Shaughnessy Center
This will be the 100th anniversary of Stravinsky’s “Faustian” tale set to cool music with cabaret seating that will make it an in-your-face theatrical experience.
“Power Trio: Fain, Segev, Goldstein” Chamber Night 3, Friday, Aug. 10 O’Shaughnessy Center
Music by Beethoven, Bernstein and Dvorak will be presented by three seasoned musicians; violinist Tim Fain, cellist Inbal Segev and pianist Alon Goldstein.
“Mozart & the Miracle” Orchestra Night 2, Saturday, Aug. 11, Whitefish Performing Arts Center
Violinist Tim Fain will solo on Mozart’s elegantly turned Violin Concerto No. 1. The program will be completed with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra performing Prokofiev’s quirky “Classical” and Haydn’s “Miracle” symphonies.
This will be Fain’s third appearance at Festival Amadeus. He is featured prominently in the film “Black Swan” and gave a violin “voice” to the lead characters in the films “12 Years a Slave” and “Bee Season.”
“Heroic Finale” Orchestra Night 3, Saturday, Aug. 12, Whitefish Performing Arts Center
The festival concludes with Mozart’s masterpiece Piano Concerto No. 17 in G featuring pianist Alon Goldstein who made his orchestral debut at the age of 18 with the Israel Philharmonic under the baton of Zubin Mehta.
Corporate sponsors for Festival Amadeus include Toyota, Whitefish Credit Union, The Firebrand, The HealthCenter and Rotary of Whitefish.
Fully transferable passes are available for $237 for a six-concert pass (three chamber, three orchestra) or $126 for a pick three-concert pass (includes Amadeus Reception and choice of chamber or orchestra concerts). Pass purchasers also receive a complimentary gondola ride to the top of Big Mountain at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Passes can only be purchased through the GSC Box Office 406-407-7000 Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will also be available at the Whitefish PAC each day between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and starting at 6 p.m.. The O’Shaughnessy box office will open at 6 p.m. before curtain.
Single concert tickets are available online at www.gscmusic.tix.com. Prices are: Orchestra Concerts: $25-40, $12 youth; Chamber: $25, $10 youth; Visit www.glaciersymphony.org for details and pricing or call the GSC Box Office, 406-407-7000. All concerts, artists and venues are subject to change.