Britt Festivals Announces 2008 Classical Season (11-1-07)
Classical Festival 2008
August 1-17 • Tickets on Sale December 3, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, OR — Britt Festival Music Director and Conductor Peter Bay announces the line-up for Britt's 46th Classical Festival and the programs that are coming to Jacksonville for three weeks next August. Nearly 100 of the nation's best musicians will journey to southern Oregon for three weeks of music-making as they come together to form the 2008 Britt Festival Orchestra. Maestro Peter Bay returns for his 16th season as Music Director and Conductor.
Britt Classical Administrator Angela Warren says, "The 46th Britt Classical Season is our most exciting ever!" Featuring music from Chopin to Shostakovich, guest artists from around the world, ballet music, classic film scores and music that captures the American spirit—there is something for everyone during Classical 2008.
The return of the Britt Orchestra is celebrated with a gala opening night concert on August 1. Highlights of opening weekend include: pianist Ingrid Fliter performing Chopin, excerpts from Prokofiev's ballet Romeo & Juliet, British trumpet phenomenon Alison Balsom, Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, the Britt horn section playing Schumann's Concertstück, and a chance to hear the percussion players in an exotic piece based on sensuous Haitian rhythms.
For the middle weekend Maestro Bay has planned a tribute to The Golden Age of the Silver Screen. Friday and Saturday night performances feature film music and music of film composers from Hollywood's heyday. As is the case today, some of the most beautiful music written is for film scores. The orchestra will be joined by four guest artists including world-renowned violinist Jaime Laredo and his wife, cellist Sharon Robinson.
Few artists reach out to the public in as many ways as Midori, who will be at Britt on Friday, Aug. 15. She is best known as one of the world's leading violinists performing over 100 concerts worldwide each year, but she also touches people's lives in many other extraordinary ways. Through five community engagement projects she has founded in the U.S. and Japan, Midori addresses an issue that is close to her heart—access. She feels passionately that people must have access to a variety of great music and through Midori & Friends and Music Sharing, she tackles getting music education and concerts to children who might not otherwise have access to the arts.
Saturday night, August 16, will be an out-of-this-world experience for families when the Magic Circle Mime Company returns to Britt with a new program, "The Orchestra from Planet X." Patrons will find out what happens when aliens decide to bring their musical ideas to the Britt stage in this sci-fi thriller starring the Britt Orchestra.
The final evening of the 2008 Classical Festival is a chance to wave the flag and celebrate America through some of its music. From music inspired by "The Star-Spangled Banner" to quotes from Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, to Gershwin's audacious Concerto in F played by pianist Jon Kimura Parker, this concert celebrates America's national musical character.
Tickets for the 2008 Classical Festival go on sale to Britt members on December 3 with "Early Bird" discounts of $2 off each ticket until February 15. Call the box office (1-800-882-7488 or 773-6077) or visit www.brittfest.org for a complete listing of repertoire, guest artist information, other ticket discounts and details on ordering tickets.
Britt's full season schedule which runs from early June to mid-September will be announced March 19. Tickets will be on sale to Britt members from April 1 to May 11, 2008. General public sales begin May 12. The summer-long series is held at the hillside outdoor amphitheater in historic Jacksonville and features world-renowned artists in pop, country, folk, blues, jazz, world music and dance.
For more information about membership and the 2008 season, visit Britt on the web at www.brittfest.org, call 1-800-882-7488 or stop by the Britt offices at 216 W. Main in Medford.
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