CANANDAIGUA — On Friday, March 1, ChamberFest Canandaigua was set to unveil the schedule for its 20th anniversary season.
The season of classical chamber music performances in Canandaigua will consist of seven events, from July 12-21.
To commemorate the milestone, the festival’s artistic directors, violinist Kevin Kumar and cellist Amy Sue Barston, have invited special guest artists to perform this season, including:
• Time for Three — A Grammy Award-winning classical-Americana ensemble,
• Andrew Armstrong — A lauded pianist and recitalist,
• Min-Young Kim — Violinist of the award-winning Daedalus Quartet,
• Jessica Cho — Korean pianist and chamber music collaborator,
• Jessica Thompson — Violist of the award-winning Daedalus Quartet,
• Evan Meccarello — Conductor and founder of the Hochstein Orchestra of Rochester.
“Twenty years is a milestone that few organizations reach, requiring: friendship, persistence, grit, creativity, generosity, trust, and an intense love for both music and community,” Kumar and Barston said in a news release. “This 20th season embodies this spirit from start to finish. From the exuberance of the music on stage, to the unforgettable moments spent in community with our artists and listeners, this season is only a foretaste of what’s to come over the next decades. We simply invite you to experience it all anew this season — the music, the friendships, the joy.”
Four concerts will be held at the acoustically brilliant Fort Hill Performing Arts Center (July 12, Time for Three; July 14, Andrew Armstrong; July 19, Poets at the Piano; July 21, Expanding the Score). The July 16 performance at The Lake House on Canandaigua features a five-course meal that is paired with the musical selections of the evening. The July 17 Classical Blue Jeans Concert at Casa Larga Vineyard in Fairport is a fan favorite each year, with Appalachian tunes paired alongside local wines. Finally, the festival’s free, family-friendly Children’s Concert at Wood Library brings music and literature together, this year featuring a Star Wars-inspired theme on the book “Are You Scared, Darth Vader?” illustrated by Adam Rex.
Founded in 2004, ChamberFest Canandaigua (formerly the Canandaigua LakeMusic Festival) quickly became an essential part of cultural life in the Greater Rochester area and has established a regional reputation for its innovative programming, inviting atmosphere, and musical excellence. The Festival has showcased such world-class artists as pianist Jon Nakamatsu, clarinetist Charles Neidich, as well as the world-class Borromeo, Corigliano, Orion, and Ying Quartets. Since its inception, ChamberFest Canandaigua has been dedicated to introducing new audiences to classical music through live concert performances and educational projects.
To learn more and to see the entire schedule for the 20th anniversary season, visit https://www.chamberfestcanandaigua.com/.
