Cooperstown Summer Music Festival Kicks Off Today

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival, under the artistic direction of flutist Linda Chesis, celebrates its fifteenth anniversary season with a diverse offering of musical experiences. From rebellious Baroque innovators to a critically-acclaimed jazz songstress, this year's Festival promises to excite and inspire. The Festival presents five classical concerts, an evening of jazz with Hilary Kole, and four free community concerts that pair accomplished amateur musicians with professional artists.

The Festival opens July 7 with the concert Birds of Paradise: Music for Winds and Piano. In addition to works by Debussy, Mozart, and Poulenc, the evening features a new multi-media work that pairs a live performance of Robert Sirota's 2008 composition Birds of Paradise with videos and bird calls from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Birds-of-Paradise Project. At a pre-concert talk at 7 pm, Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientist Ed Scholes, composer Robert Sirota and Festival artistic director Linda Chesis will discuss their collaboration. Scholes, an evolutionary biologist, spent 8 years and 18 expeditions scientifically documenting all 39 species of the birds-of-paradise family with National Geographic photographer Tim Laman.

Joining Chesis in performing on Opening Night are: James Roe, oboe; Marianne Gythfeldt, clarinet; Adrian Morejon, bassoon; Zohar Schondorf, French Horn; and Pedja Muzijevic, piano.

On August 4 in a 3 pm afternoon concert, the Baroque ensemble REBEL performs works by Corelli, J.S. Bach, Gallo, Gabrieli, Boyce and Telemann.

Vienna is the focus of two Festival concerts on August 7 with the Amphion String Quartet, flutist Linda Chesis and clarinetist Mingzhe Wang, and on August 14 with the Walden Chamber Players. "I was curious to explore how the Viennese culture inspired three centuries of composers," explains Chesis. She notes that Viennese treats will be served at intermission at both concerts.

Vocalist Hilary Kole returns to the Festival August 11 to headline the Festival's jazz performance and will offer songs from Cole Porter and Irving Berlin to Elvis Costello and Paul Simon.

The Festival finale is a return performance of the East Coast Chamber Orchestra. This 15-member strong group will perform Mozart, Ravel, a 2013 commission by Judd Greenberg, and more.

Free performances at the Festival include Pro Am performances July 9-11 and the Flute Fest on August 1, with the NY Summer Music Festival International Flute Institute.

Tickets and Information

Tickets are now available online, CooperstownMusicFest.org and by phone through Brown Paper Tickets,800.838.3006. Tickets also will be sold at the door, as available. Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for students 6-18. Pro Am performances July 9-11 and the Flute Fest on August 1 are free and open to all and do not require a ticket or reservation.

Festival concerts are held in and around Cooperstown, NY.

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