Four of contemporary classical music’s most celebrated performers will take part in the Music Academy of the West’s 64
th annual Summer Festival under an initiative funded by the Samuel B. and Margaret C. Mosher Foundation. New York Philharmonic Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow (pictured), soprano great Christine Brewer, and acclaimed pianists Valentina Lisitsa and Jean-Yves Thibaudet will inaugurate the Academy’s new Mosher Guest Artist Residency Program. Ranging in duration from several days to two weeks, the residencies will include public masterclasses and performances, as well as private interactions with Academy Fellows.
“We are very excited and grateful to have the Mosher Foundation as our partner on this extraordinary initiative, which is certain to provide further inspiration to our Fellows and audiences,” said Music Academy President Scott Reed. “The guest artists’ intensive, personal interactions with our Fellows will serve to supplement the excellent work of our departmental faculty throughout this year’s Summer Festival.”
“The Samuel B. and Margaret C. Mosher Foundation is delighted and honored to contribute to the Music Academy in this way,” said Mosher Foundation President and CEO Edward Birch. “We are especially pleased to be part of an initiative that has come to symbolize the Academy’s new dynamism under its recently appointed president, Scott Reed.”
Based in Santa Barbara, the Mosher Foundation supports nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is education, health care, and the performing arts.
Glenn Dicterow, who joined the New York Philharmonic as concertmaster in 1980, made his solo debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at age 11 before establishing himself worldwide as one of the most prominent American concert artists of his generation. Recently named among the top 20 sopranos of the 20th century by the BBC, Christine Brewer is due to perform at the Hollywood Bowl under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel just prior to her Academy residency. Extolled by critics as a “once-in-a-generation” phenomenon, pianist Valentina Lisitsa has spellbound audiences the world over with her stunning virtuosity and unequaled sense of lyricism. And Jean-Yves Thibaudet, hailed as “one of the best pianists in the world,” routinely captivates audiences with his matchless artistry and dazzling technical prowess.
“The wonderful generosity of the Mosher Foundation has allowed us to raise the already extraordinary level of musical experience at the Music Academy of the West,” said Richard Feit, vice president for artistic programs and operations at the Music Academy. “We are enormously grateful to add the rare and precious musical moments that will surely be the true sparkle of this gift to an already glorious summer of music.”
The Music Academy also will present a production of Rossini’s comic opera classic The Barber of Seville, as well as a performance by conductor Leonard Slatkin as part of the Academy’s 64th Summer Festival. The Academy will present some 200 events over the course of this year’s Summer School and Festival, which begins June 20 and concludes on August 13. Additional highlights will include performances by the Takács Quartet, and conducting turns by Peter Oundjian, Larry Rachleff, Warren Jones, Nicholas McGegan, and Daniel Hege. Featuring the Academy’s exceptionally talented Fellows, together with illustrious guest performers and faculty, the events will be presented at the Academy’s scenic Miraflores campus and in venues throughout Santa Barbara.
For tickets and information, call 969-8787. Information is also available online at www.musicacademy.org.
