Story last updated at 6/9/2010 - 12:18 pm
SITKA - The Sitka Summer Music Festival's 39th year is one of "transition and expansion," said operations director Melissa Marconi Mentzel.
Since its inception, the festival has grown considerably under the artistic direction of virtuoso violinist Paul Rosenthal. But the festival is soon to lose Rosenthal to retirement.
"The Sitka Summer Music Festival has been for me that rarest of rarities - the dream that has come true and remained true," Rosenthal wrote in a note on the festival's Web site.
Over the years, the festival has welcomed musicians from all over the world to grace Sitka with their sounds. Rosenthal credited the "magic of the ocean and the mountains" and Sitka's residents with bringing inspiration and refreshment to the festival.
In Rosenthal's place, world-renowned cellist Zuill Bailey will take over artistic direction duties. He will serve as artistic director designate until 2013, at which point he will take over the position completely.
"Zuill Bailey, a magnificent cellist, known for having the highest artistic integrity, imagination, vision and leadership skills will prove to be an invigorating inspiration for the Sitka Summer Music Festival and series," Rosenthal writes.
Said Bailey: "I am truly honored to carry the torch for such a prestigious festival that makes an incredible impact on the arts and the state of Alaska."
With Rosenthal's segue also comes expansion, and this year the festival will offer a Café Concert Series at the Larkspur Café for the first time. The series will take place each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., giving audiences a chance to witness performances and take part in conversations with festival musicians in an intimate setting.
Also new this year is the integration of music-related film with Music Movie Nights. Each Thursday at 7 p.m., movies featuring festival artists or a classical music theme will be shown at the Sitka National Historic Park Visitors Center Theatre. Featured artists will be present to speak about their roles in the films.
"Other than a small stipend, the musicians perform for free," Mentzel said. "They return each year because they believe in the festival's mission, to bring live chamber music to Alaskans, and because they love performing in Sitka and having a chance to visit Alaska in general."
Visiting musicians also enjoy the music, much of which is challenging and obscure in comparison to their normal repertoire.
"It's an opportunity for musicians to stretch their artistic wings, so to speak," Mentzel said.
Festival Schedule
Wednesday, June 9: Classics at the Larkspur, 7 p.m., Larkspur Café concert, entrance by donation.
Thursday, June 10: Brown Bag Lunch Concert, noon, Sitka Church of the Nazarene, 305 Lake St. Free.
Music Movie Night, 7 p.m., Sitka National Historic Park Visitor's Center Theatre.
Friday, June 11: Concert, 8:15 p.m., Harrigan Centennial Hall. Free pre-concert lecture by Susan Wingrove at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Jerome Lowenthal, Ursula Oppens, Paul Rosenthal, Frederieke Eugenie Saeijs, Pamela Goldsmith, Marcus Thompson, Armen Ksajikian and Eugene Osadchy.
Saturday, June 12: Sitka Summer Music Festival Cruise, 6-9 p.m., Crescent Harbor Shelter.
Tuesday, June 15: Concert, 7:30 p.m., Harrigan Centennial Hall. Featuring Sungmi Im, Doris Stevenson, Ik-Hwan Bae, Agnes Gottschewski, Paul Rosenthal, Jennifer Stumm, Zuill Bailey, Evan Drachman and Jeffery Solow.
Wednesday, June 16: Classics at the Larkspur, 7 p.m., Larkspur Café concert, entrance by donation.
Thursday, June 17: Brown Bag Lunch Concert, noon, First Presbyterian Church, 505 Sawmill Creek Rd. Free.
Music Movie Night, 7 p.m., Sitka National Historic Park Visitor's Center Theatre.
Friday, June 18: Concert, 8:15 p.m., Harrigan Centennial Hall. Free pre-concert lecture by Susan Wingrove at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Angmi Im, Doris Stevenson, Ik-Hwan Bae, Agnes Gottschewski, Paul Rosenthal, Jennifer Stumm, Even Drachman and Jeffery Solow.
Saturday, June 19: Concert, 8:15 p.m., Harrigan Centennial Hall. Free pre-concert lecture by Susan Wingrove at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Sungmi Im, Doris Stevenson, Ik-Hwan Bae, Agnes Gottschewski, Paul Rosenthal, Jennifer Stumm, Evan Drachman and Jeffery Solow.
Chocolate Rhapsody Dessert Party, 9:45 p.m., Westmark Hotel. Music provided by Jazz on the Rocks.
Sunday, June 20: Alaska Cruise Association All-You-Can-Eat Crab Fundraiser, 3-5 p.m., Crescent Harbor Net Shelter.
Tuesday, June 22: Concert, 7:30 p.m., Harrigan Centennial Hall. Featuring Jee Won Oh, William Preucil, Paul Rosenthal, Agnes Gottschewski, David Harding and Mark Kosower.
Wednesday, June 23: Classics at the Larkspur, 7 p.m., Larkspur Café concert, entrance by donation.
Thursday, June 24: Music Movie Night, 7 p.m., Sitka National Historic Park Visitor's Center Theatre.
Friday, June 25: Finale Concert, 8:15 p.m., Harrigan Centennial Hall. Free pre-concert lecture by Susan Wingrove at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Jee Won Oh, William Preucil, Paul Rosenthal, David Harding, Zuill Bailey and Mark Kosower.
Concert tickets may be purchased by calling 747-6774 or online at www.sitkamusicfestival.org.
