Mendocino Music Festival
Saturday, July 12 through July 26, 2008
The Mendocino Music Festival was established in 1986 as the dream of local musicians Walter Green and Allan Pollack. Now in its 22nd year, the Festival continues to delight audiences with a wide breadth of talent and cover a multitude of musical styles. Performances include the Festival Orchestra, the Big Band concert, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, and folk music.
Opening night begins with the long-established tradition of the Festival Orchestra, under Conductor Allan Pollack, performing Smetana’s “Overture to The Bartered Bride,” Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in Bb” with pianist Stephen Prutsman.
The Festival’s finale on Saturday, July 26 at 8 pm will be The Walter Green Memorial Concert with The Festival Chorus & Orchestra. Pieces include Handel’s “Royal Fireworks” and Beethoven’s cosmic “Symphony No. 9″, with sopranno Nicolle Foland, mezzo-soprano Jean McDonald, tenor Jeff Brich, bass Matthew Miksak under the direction of Allan Pollack, conductor and Carolen Steinbuck, chorusmaster.
The festival’s goal is to “present fine music with a mix of professional and local musicians, and the opportunity for classical music education on the Mendocino Coast.” This year’s local talent is featured in the Village Chamber Concerts. On Saturday, July 19 at 3 pm, enjoy a self-directed group of chaps, the AcaFellas, who will entertain with A cappella music of many genres at Preston Hall, Main Street, Mendocino. (AcaFellas member Dennis Freeze is co-owner of MendocinoFun.com.)
Weekend performances focus on educational and children’s programs in a continuing effort to bring all ages into the festival light. On Sunday, July 20, at 2 pm, the Emerging Artists Concert with young musicians from the festival’s youth program perform in chamber ensembles.
Ticket sales begin May 5: 707-937-4041
FULL SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 12 – 8 pm
The Festival Orchestra
Sunday, July 13 – 8 pm
Jesse Winchester (Singer, Songwriter) with Foxglove
1960s folk rock, bluegrass, R&B, rock-n-roll
Monday, July 14 – 8 pm
Stephen Prutsman (pianist, composer and arranger)
Bach and Forth
Wednesday, July 16 – 8 pm
The Hot Club of San Francisco
Gypsy Jazz
Thursday, July 17 – 8 pm
Susan Waterfall & The Festival Chamber Players
Cabaret and chamber music
Friday, July 18 & Sunday, July 20 – 8 pm
Mozart: Marriage of Figaro with The Festival Orchestra & Cast
Comic opera
Saturday, July 19 – 8 pm
Allan Pollack & The All-Star Festival Big Band
Tuesday, July 22 – 8 pm
Quintango
Quintet (strings and piano) and dancers present Argentine tango.
Wednesday, July 23 – 8 pm
The Festival Orchestra & Company C Contemporary Ballet
Thursday, July 24 – 8 pm
Festival Chamber Players
Chamber Music of the 20th Century
Friday, July 25 – 8 pm
Los Pinguos
Combined Latin rhythms - salsa, rock & traditional Argentine music
Saturday, July 26 – 3 pm
Julian Water Pollack Three-O
Jazz, rock and pop genres
Saturday, July 26 – 8 pm
Festival Chorus & Orchestra
Water Green Memorial Concert
