STAUNTON – Every August, the Staunton Music Festival brings more than 80 world-class musicians from around the world to Staunton to perform six centuries of music over the course of ten consecutive days and nights. In a press release from SMF, the festival begins on Aug. 16 and runs through August 25.
Each season, Staunton Music Festival's artistic director, Carsten Schmidt, orchestrates an eclectic combination of programs, spanning centuries of exceptional music — from the Middle Ages to commissioned premieres. Music lovers go to concerts for many different reasons. One of those reasons is a chance to hear new interpretations of beloved masterworks; another is to discover unexpected treasures from the past and the present.
Multiple concerts daily make for an exhilarating immersion in chamber, vocal, and symphonic music. Most days, there are one-hour, free admission programs at noon. The afternoon and evening concerts come alive with longer, ticketed concerts preceded by informal talks.
The 2024 summer festival opens with a rousing “Handel Extravaganza” on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. In this opening performance, vocal soloists and chorus join the period-instrument SMF Baroque Orchestra for music from Dixit Dominus, Ode for Queen Anne, Alexander’s Feast, Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno and Water Music, all capped off with the familiar “Hallelujah” chorus from Messiah.
Later in the week, the annual “Early Keyboards” concert (Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m.) and “Baroque Inside Out” performance (Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.) are perennial audience favorites.
SMF is delighted to announce that composer Roberto Sierra will be SMF’s composer-in-residence, the release said. Sierra is acclaimed as one of Latin America's most active contemporary composers. For more than four decades, his works have been part of the repertoire of many of the leading orchestras, ensembles and festivals in the U.S. and Europe.
A stunning array of performers returns to perform year after year by invitation. As in previous seasons, about 25% of performers are guest artists who are invited to make their debut with the festival.
See the full program of events and performers online at https://www.stauntonmusicfestival.org/summer . Brochures are also available at the Staunton Visitor's Center.
Historically informed performance
Staunton Music Festival takes great pride in presenting works within accurate historical context. All music composed before 1850 is performed on period instruments (original and replica) by professional musicians highly trained in historical traditions of interpretation and style.
Collectively, the festival and the performers at the festival have an impressive and unique collection of both period instruments and modern historical replicas — from violins to horns to keyboards. SMF showcases one of the most significant collections of historic pianos, fortepianos, harpsichords and organs that are currently used in performance on the East Coast, the release said. SMF’s collection includes both original instruments and historically accurate replicas. This summer, the festival will debut its new replica 1830 Graf fortepiano, which was built by Rod Regier of Freeport, Maine, arguably the world's finest builder of historic pianos.
Why rethink classical?
Audiences won’t find the oft-repeated repertoire of just a few composers at Staunton Music Festival. Under the bold artistic direction of Carsten Schmidt, SMF chooses to present the entire vast, living array of music composition and performance. SMF’s #RethinkClassical ethos touches on two basic convictions about what classical music can be in the 21st century. First, by taking a deep interest in historically-informed performance practice, audiences rediscover the subtlety and color that emerges from period instrument concerts. Second, by merging past masterworks with world premieres, we remind ourselves that music from all eras is vital and expressive — that all music was once "modern." The festival’s daring, often challenging program, gives visibility to both the old and the new, thereby deepening the appreciation of both.
Venues and pop-up performances
Most performances take place at Trinity Episcopal Church and the Blackfriars Playhouse. Additional daytime venues include First Presbyterian Church and Central United Methodist Church. New venues have been added this summer — the Beaux Arts National Valley Bank Building and the contemporary space Silver Line Theatre Exchange.
Additionally, during the course of the festival special "pop-up" concerts will occur. Expect 20 minutes of music in cool spaces, where SMF brings the music to the people. These pop-up concerts will be announced no earlier than 24 hours prior to the event.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased via a discounted season pass, or individually by performance. Price varies from free to $38. Noon concerts are free. Reserved tickets are available online, or by contacting the box office. General admission tickets may be purchased at the door (when available) starting an hour before performance.
SMF believes in making music accessible to all. Every performance allows college students and active/retired military to purchase steeply discounted admission. Concerts are completely free to youth aged 18 and under, made possible by generous underwriting from festival sponsors. See online box office for details.
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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton Music Festival spans centuries: The Eras Tour begins Friday
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