Annual festival begins celebration of classical repertoire

Add a little “Mozart in the Mountains” to your summer activities during the 12th annual Festival Amadeus in Whitefish Aug. 2-11.

The Glacier Symphony produces this popular event offering the very best music of Mozart, Beethoven, and others as performed by acclaimed soloists and the Festival Amadeus Orchestra. And this summer opera has been added to the mix.

Founding Artistic Director and Glacier Symphony Music Director, John Zoltek, is the visionary behind the event.

“Festival Amadeus is truly a unique way to experience the finest music from the classical repertoire live in concert right here in our own community. With such a variety of concerts our Festival goes above and beyond the ordinary with a nod towards the unexpected. After 12 seasons, it has become a destination northwest Montana classical music tradition,” he explains.

This year’s line up of soloists include Montana’s own Cascade Quartet, South African born flute virtuoso, Cobus du Toit, violinist William Hagen, invited for a return engagement by Zoltek after a stunning performance with the Glacier Symphony last October, and piano virtuoso and Festival Amadeus veteran, Andrew Staupe.

As an exciting treat the finale weekend will feature two performances of Mozart’s 1790 opera Così fan tutte featuring singers dressed in 18th Century period costumes and projected English subtitles. This romantic comedy, also known as “The School for Lovers,” will feature a cast of six young opera professionals selected by Maestro Zoltek. The story revolves around the love exploits of two sisters and their two soldier suitors in a frolicking romp of seduction, deception and forgiveness. The characters are not so much in a real school, as being “schooled” in the lessons of love and it leads to some hilarious moments during the opera.

“In addition to its comic elements Cosi fan tutte is a truly beautiful work in which Mozart musically explores the deepest of human emotions and foibles. This is Mozart at his creative peak, a masterful combination of music, drama and the vulnerability of human relationships – It’s nothing short of completely divine! If you love great music don’t miss this opportunity to experience Mozart’s amazing opera live on stage,” Zoltek enthuses.

Festival All Event passes featuring five or three concerts plus an opera night are available along with single night tickets in several seating tiers. For detailed tickets and detailed concert descriptions visit www.glaciersymphony.org or call the GS box office for information and a brochure, 406-407-7000.

Concert

Schedule

The musicians will perform in five concerts and two opera concerts. Opening weekend will feature two cabaret chamber nights held at the intimate O’Shaughnessy Center downtown. During the week, a chamber concert and two orchestra concerts will be held at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 127 Spokane Ave. Both opera performances on Aug. 10-11 will begin at 7 p.m. at the PAC.

- Chamber 1-“It’s a String Thing,” Friday, Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy. The Cascade String Quartet from Great Falls offers an engaging program of music of Beethoven, Dvorak, Glass and Cohen. Cabaret seating and refreshments are available for purchase.

- Chamber 2 -“A Gala Evening of Voices,” Saturday, Aug. 3, 7:30 pm at the O’Shaughnessy. The cast of Così will introduce the story and provide an interactive prelude and a sneak peek into the world of opera. Cabaret seating and refreshments are available to purchase.

- Orchestra 1-“Fire, Flute and Idomeneus,” Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m. at the PAC. The Festival Orchestra will perform Haydn’s Fire Symphony and the ballet music Idomeneo from Mozart’s take on ‘antique’ dance music along with Reinecke’s Flute Concerto featuring guest flutist, Cobus du Toit. A native of South Africa, Du Toit is praised by the Pretoria News as not just technical but – “driven by purely musical inspiration.”

- Chamber Night 3- “Tre Virtuosi: Hagen, du Toit and Staupe,”Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m. at the PAC. This concert spotlights the Festival’s three guest soloists. It marks the return engagement of the superb violinist, William Hagen, who joins with du Toit and Staupe performing delightful combinations of works for their three instruments. “Tre Virtuosi” repeats, Friday, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m. at Saint John Paul II Church in Bigfork.

- Orchestra Night 2 - “Turkish, Hebrides, Beethoven 4,” Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. at PAC. Violinist William Hagen will expertly execute Mozart’s most popular violin concerto. The nature-inspired Hebrides Overture will be followed by a rousing interpretation of Beethoven 4 completing the Festival Orchestra roster.

- Opera Night 1- “Così fan tutte” Saturday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m. at PAC.

- Opera Night 2-“Così fan tutte,” Sunday, Aug. 11, 7 p.m. at PAC.

Tickets are available in a range of prices and seating tiers. All Event passes include a free gondola ride at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Buy online at www.glaciersymphony.org or call 406-407-7000 Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or visit the GS box office 69 N. Main, Kalispell.

During the festival week, several free talks will be offered by the Festival guest artists in conjunction with Camp Festival Amadeus, a youth camp organized by the North Valley Music School of Whitefish. Contact the school for more information: 406-862-8074, info@northvalleymusicschool.

For additional information about the Glacier Symphony, orchestra and chorale visit www.glaciersymphony.org or call 406-407-7000.