To Ojai with Love
Romance and music will surround the Ojai Music Festival’s Gala and Concert, To Ojai with Love, on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the historic five-diamond Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, with a rare recital by past Music Director Robert Spano as both pianist and composer. The evening event, which begins at 5:30 pm, includes a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner and recital, benefitting the internationally renowned 66th Ojai Music Festival.
Keeping with the tradition of the Festival to feature artist alumni at special events, Mr. Spano, who last appeared during the 60th anniversary of the Festival with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Dawn Upshaw in 2006, is the centerpiece of To Ojai With Love Gala and Concert lending his talents as pianist and composer. Performing the chamber music of Leonard Bernstein and Johannes Brahms with clarinetist Laura Ardan, as well as sharing the west coast premiere of his own work entitled under water, Spano will reveal many facets of his musical prowess in an intimate setting. Based on Debussy’s Engulfed Cathedral, under water is a work for solo piano first performed in 2004 at Tanglewood’s Festival of Contemporary Music. In recent years, Mr. Spano has resumed composition and is currently writing additional piano works. The To Ojai with Love private recital precedes Spano’s national concert tour with famed bass-baritone Eric Owens, which culminates at Carnegie Hall on February 20, 2012.
“Robert Spano is considered one of the most imaginative and brightest conductors of his generation, as we witnessed at the memorable 2006 Ojai Music Festival,” commented Festival Artistic Director Thomas W. Morris “Now, we get to enjoy additional facets of this multi-talented performer as his career continues to expand, recently being appointed Music Director for the prestigious Aspen Music Festival.”
Joining him for the To Ojai with Love Gala will be principal clarinetist Laura Ardan of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, who was also at The Ojai Music Festival in 2006. Together, they will perform Bernstein’s lively Sonata for Clarinet and Piano and Brahms’ gorgeous F Minor Clarinet Sonata.
To add another special element to the Festival Gala, the committee has created one-of-a-kind patron packages available for purchase after Thanksgiving. These immersive experience packages range from private studio gallery tours and gatherings with celebrities to rare musical performances. The package “Hollywood Recording Session” includes a day with celebrated film composer and weekend Ojai resident, James Newton Howard. The package includes the opportunity to witness a recording session of the highly anticipated Universal Pictures film Snow White and the Huntsman featuring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron and a special VIP tour of the studio lot.
The package entitled “Syncopating in Shangri-la” with Grammy-winner and jazz legend Roger Kellaway treats guests to a jazz piano recital at a private home in Ojai, followed by lunch and buoyant game of bocce ball with beloved actors Peter Strauss and Rachel Ticotin.
The”Pleasure in Paradise” package introduces guests to contemporary artists Ruth Pastine and Gary Lang at their Ojai Valley studio/home and offers an intimate look at their sought- after paintings. After the tour, guests will enjoy a catered lunch prepared by Chef Chris Abbott of Savory & Thyme at Oak Knoll Ranch, after which, award-winning winemaker Adam Tolmach will give a private wine tasting at the Ojai Vineyard.
For music lovers, the “2012 Festival: Up Close and Personal” package will include exclusive admission to private rehearsals, backstage tours and parties during the 66th Ojai Music Festival, June 7 to 10, 2012. The patrons of this package will also meet 2012 Music Director pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and Festival Artistic Director Thomas W. Morris for an intimate dinner party.
The”Magical Moments Among the Orchards” package includes Sunday brunch with Robert Spano and Ojai Music Festival Executive Director Jeff Haydon at a private home in Ojai as well as an opportunity to meet famed artist David Spanbock and enjoy a private culinary lesson from internationally acclaimed chef Anna Thomas of Vegetarian Epicure cookbook and her most recent James Beard Foundation award winning cookbook Love Soup.
Packages are available to patrons who support the Festival at a $3,500 level. They include two tickets to the Gala and a special rate for a one-night stay at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Patron packages are available after Thanksgiving and are extremely limited due to the uniqueness and exclusivity of each package. In addition to patron packages, the Gala will offer other sponsor levels including $2,000 table supporter (10 tickets to the event), $750 supporter (2 tickets to the Gala) and $250 single tickets. Packages and sponsor levels are available by calling (805) 646-2094 ext. 105 or online at OjaiFestival.org.
