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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2016)
6 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Astoria Music Festival announces 2016 lineup Festival features 17 events in 16 days Sergey Antonov The Astoria Music Festival celebrates its 14th anniversary from June 17 to July 3. More than 100 performers and young artists will gather for 17 performances of symphonic and chamber music, educational events, and two operas. Music Festival Board of Directors Presi- dent Dwight Caswell says, “We are excited to present one of the biggest and most chal- lenging festivals in our short14-year history. Our Artistic Director Keith Clark has assembled a remarkable roster of interna- tional artists and varied repertoire, and we invite music lovers to visit our historic town to experience our motto: ‘Big City Music – Small Town Prices – Victorian Charm.’” Vocal highlights include appearances by acclaimed American soprano Angela Meade as Leonora in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,”repris- ing her role that caused a recent sensation at the Metropolitan Opera. She will be joined by three Met veterans, tenor Cameron Schutza as Manrico, mezzo-soprano Mary- Ann McCormick as Azucena and Portland’s own Richard Zeller as Count di Luna. Instrumental highlights include the northwest premiere of Philip Glass’ expan- sive Symphony No. 4, based on music of David Bowie’s recording “Heroes.” Elizabeth Pitcairn The festival orchestra will perform three symphonic programs in addition to “Il Trovatore.” The orchestra is comprised of musicians from major American ensembles, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Opera and Ballet Orchestras, as well as leading members of the Oregon Symphony and Portland Opera and Ballet Orchestras. In addition to Clark, conductors include Olivia Tsui, music director of the Los An- geles Virtuosi and Silicon Beach Sympho- ny, Christopher Fecteau, artistic director of New York’s Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, and Oregon composer-conductor John Paul. Guest ensembles Angela Meade Ilya Kazantsev Portland’s popular quintet 3 Leg Torso will make its festival debut with an eclectic program of chamber music, tango, Klezmer, Latin, and Roma (Gypsy) music. Guest ensembles will include the North Coast Chorale, members of the Maddox Dance Studio Little Ballet Theatre and the Astoria School of Ballet. Apprenticeship programs Soloists Instrumental soloists and chamber musicians returning to the festival include American violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn, San Diego Symphony Concertmaster Jeff Thayer, San Francisco Ballet Concertmaster Roy Malan, Detroit Symphony associate principal violist James van Valkenburg, and Atlanta Symphony associate principal horn Susan Welty. Tchaikovsky Competition gold medal cellist Sergey Antonov returns as concerto soloist and chamber music artist. Returning pianists include Astoria Music Festival Chamber Music Director (and Portland’s busiest pianist) Cary Lewis and Chopin Competition gold medalist Ilya Kazantsev. Orchestra and conductors MaryAnn McCormick Cameron Schutza SUBMITTED PHOTOS MORE INFO For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit astoriamusicfestival.org Along with professional activities, the Astoria Music Festival sponsors three train- ing programs. Apprentice vocal artists participate in a 20-day program of vocal training and coaching, acting, intensive foreign lan- guage instruction, and weekly recitals and operatic performance under the leadership of Fecteau, director of musical studies, , Se- attle Opera Assistant Conductor and Coach Phillip Kelsey, and the Met’s McCormick.. Fellowship for instrumental artists are directed by conductor-violinist Tsui, and mentored by San Francisco Ballet Con- certmaster Malan and festival artists, and participate in chamber music, orchestral and operatic performances. The Collaborative Pianist Appren- ticeship program offers opportunities for hands-on training in vocal and instrumental coaching and chamber music under leader- ship of festival keyboard artists and vocal coaches.