OK Mozart Announces 2015 Concert Lineup
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Artistic Director Constantine Kitsopoulos announced an exciting line-up of concerts and guest artists at the recent Launch Party in Bartlesville. The “Music of Italy” will be the theme for this year’s festival set for June 6-13.
Courtesy OK Mozart
The OK Mozart Festival launched its upcoming season at Bartlesville Community Center recently with a gala Launch Party where Artistic Director Constantine Kitsopoulos announced an exciting line-up of concerts and guest artists. The “Music of Italy” will be the theme for this year’s festival set for June 6-13.
The 2015 season, OKM’s 31st consecutive year, which makes it a legendary phenomenon in national music festival history, will literally shine with the return of nationally renowned artist, pianist Jon Kimura Parker. Adding an electrifying spark will be young violin virtuoso Chad Hoopes, along with the cutting-edge Aeolus Quartet, and brilliant violinist/blogger, Louise Owen also known as “The Kitchen Fiddler.”
OK Mozart’s Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 6, has been given a brand new air of excitement with a change in venue and an all-day, multi-faceted program. The early part of the Opening Celebration begins at dawn with a first-time-ever Fun Run that will have runners following the natural terrain at Prairie Song on the Ken and Marilyn Tate Ranch near Dewey.
From 9 a.m. till noon, the Opening Celebration continues at Prairie Song with open-to-the-public tours of the historically-recreated 1800s Old West town. There will be live music by the Corky Davis Country Swing Band, pony rides, tribal dancing, a petting zoo, do-it-yourself branding irons, wagon rides, and more, and all for free,
At 6 p.m., music lovers of all ages are invited to Bartlesville Community Center to hear the Tulsa Youth Orchestra perform composer Joseph River’s symphony, “Buffalo Run,” specially written to celebrate the American bison, along with a performance by Tulsa instructor Judy Fu’s adult Tai Chi dancers. Again, admission is free.
Here are other highlights of the week:
• The festival begins on Sunday, June 7 with “A Musical Tour of Italy” featuring the acclaimed young violinist, Chad Hoopes, whose exceptional talent and magnificent tone have been acclaimed by critics worldwide. He will be paired with the Amici New York Orchestra under the skilled baton of Artistic Director Constantine Kitsopoulos in a performance of Mozart’s Overture to “Cosi fan tutte” and Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” Following intermission, Amici New York will be joined by the OK Mozart All-State Orchestra for a performance where Oklahoma’s finest young musicians will play next to some of the world’s greatest professional musicians.
• Tuesday night, June 9 features OKM’s traditional Spencer-Prentiss/Becky Wallace Chamber Concert, but this year it will be presented at Bartlesville Community Center on the main stage. Highlighting the performance will be the Aeolus Quartet with pianist Jon Kimura Parker and Amici New York wind principals: Diane Lesser, oboe; Pavel Vinnitsky, clarinet; Julia Pilant, horn; and Charles McCracken, bassoon.
• On Wednesday night, June 10 Amici New York Orchestra and the Bartlesville Choral Society will present a semi-staged version of Mozart’s opera, “Don Giovanni,” showcasing the 10 outstanding voices of Oklahoma soloists Maestro Kitsopoulos auditioned throughout Oklahoma and hand-picked for the roles.
• Thursday night’s June 11 concert audience will again be thrilled – this time with an amazing presentation by the Canadian Brass, a quintet described as “game-changing” in that they have performed in virtually every major concert hall in the world. They are renowned for their genre-bending versatility and joyous performances of varied brass standards, works of Renaissance and Baroque masters, classical pieces, contemporary compositions, marches, ragtime, Dixieland, Latin Jazz, big band and Broadway tunes.
• Friday night June 12 as always, the Woolaroc Outdoor Concert promises a rousing repertoire beginning with picnics at dusk followed by a performance under the stars. It will feature a selection of favorite Italian opera excerpts presented by the Amici New York Orchestra and singers from the “Don Giovanni” cast. Topping off the evening will be a variety of patriotic music followed by the visual thrill of fireworks.
• Saturday night’s June 13 Grand Finale continues with the Bartlesville Choral Society and the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus under the direction of Susan Mueller joining the Amici New York Orchestra in presenting Mozart’s final work, his inspirational “Requiem”. Guest artist, pianist John Kimura Parker will perform Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”. This one promises to bring the house down with the sound of more than 100 performers on stage!
In addition, a series of five afternoon Chamber Music performances will be presented Monday through Friday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church by the Aeolus Quartet, which will be joined on Tuesday by the multi-talented and popular blogger, violinist Louise Owen, also known as the “Kitchen Fiddler”. She will present an especially delightful daytime Chamber Music recital complete with a sampling of her own delectable culinary treats. On Wednesday Aeolus Quartet will be joined by pianist Jon Kimura Parker. Together they will present some of the most beloved chamber music for piano and strings.
Perhaps one of the most exciting elements of this year’s OK Mozart Festival will be a formal black-tie dinner/dance excursion to Italy via the L’Amore d’Italia Masked Ball, which will be held in the Bartlesville Hilton Garden Inn Ballroom. Romantic Italian music for dancing will be provided by members of the Amici New York Orchestra conducted by Maestro Kitsopoulos.
Throughout the eight-day Festival, OK Mozart will also present daily Showcase Events at various locations. This year there are nearly 70 colorful, historical, entertaining activities planned. These are described in the Highlights Brochure available at the OK Mozart office, 415 S. Dewey Avenue, or by calling 918-336-9800.
“We look forward to presenting one of the most exciting seasons ever in OK Mozart’s history, as well as hosting an ever-growing audience as a result of our efforts to expand the appeal of the concert series,” says Executive Director, Randy Thompson. “The Launch Party itself has become one of the most exciting, fun-filled community events ever.”
Oklahoma’s Premier Music Festival
OK Mozart Festival’s mission is to bring the highest quality professional musical and cultural experience possible to the citizens of the Bartlesville area, the state of Oklahoma and the mid-America region of the U.S. by producing a multi-day festival with professional orchestra musicians, concert artists and musical performances of artistic excellence. The OK Mozart Festival is produced by OK Mozart, Inc., a non-profit 501©3 organization. For more information on the festival, visit www.okmozart.com.
Updated 03-02-2015
Back to Top
READER COMMENTS
Back to Top
Contact GTR News
