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Section: Arts
BPO Summerfest — An Artpark Tradition
By Mary Georger
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Cirque Capriccio, at Artpark on July 27.
Photo courtesy of Artpark.
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For the fifth year in a row, Artpark will serve as the summer home for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, as the two cultural forces join for three months of must-see performances in a series called Summerfest.
Since 1974, Artpark has provided a public park for the visual and performing art within. The performing arts is celebrated with a full spectrum of entertainment, from Broadway musicals on the Mainstage Theater to free concerts in the Outdoor Amphitheater. The BPO’s Summerfest is a fine example. This year features 10 diverse concerts ranging from Native American music to Mozart symphonies.
“The community has responded very favorably to the event,” says George Osborne, Artpark president. Recent years have drawn a large older crowd, but organizers belive this year’s Summerfest may see more of a range in ages due to greater diversity in concert themes. “Sales are already a bit ahead of last year’s,” Osborne adds.
Artpark’s marketing and promotional staff, along with BPO music director and conductor JoAnn Falletta, began planning the event six-to-eight months ago in hopes of offering traditional classical music as well as dance and acrobatics.
Kicking off the 2008 Summerfest is By George By Gershwin! on July 12, a concert version of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, along with Girl Crazy Overture and I Got Rhythm Variations. Conducted by Robert Franz, the BPO will welcome back last year’s pianist, Kevin Cole.
The All American John Philip Sousa is led by guest conductor Keith Brion on July 13. The patriotic post-July 4 extravaganza features the “March King’s” greatest works.
July 19 offers the classical strains of Mozart along with the late twentieth century works of Leonard Bernstein. From Mozart to Bernstein includes Bernstein’s spirited Candide by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, plus special guest Caroline Goulding, a 14-year-old internationally celebrated violinist performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4.
The acclaimed Black Lodge Singers will perform on July 20 with Native American Celebration. This will be a colorful musical event highlighting the spirit and legends of Native Americans. The Black Lodge Singers, a leading North American Pow Wow drum group, play the buffalo drum and sing in the native Blackfoot language, while flutist R. Carlos Nakai will also appear.
Falletta leads the BPO on July 25 with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The program includes excerpts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Khachaturian’s Adiagio from Spartacus and Phrygia. Noted pianist Cecile Licad will also be featured on Rachmaninoff’s heroic Third Piano Concerto.
Audience members will enjoy an all-Tchaikovsky program on July 26 with Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Lead by concertmaster Michael Ludwig, the BPO will play Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Violin Concerto and the bombastic 1812 Overture.
The dazzling Underground Circus appears at Cirque Capriccio on July 27. The acclaimed group of aerial flyers, acrobats and dancers create a unique cirque display that is precisely choreographed to the music.
Last summer’s popular Argentine Tango event is back again with The Tango Returns! on August 1. The performance includes guest artists Quartango and the music of Marquez, Rodriguez, Maricone and Piazzolla. After the concert, audience members can dance to the rhythm of tango with a live band.
Western New York’s Neglia Ballet dance company takes part in An Evening with Neglia Ballet on August 2, along with music from Weber’s Invitation to the Dance, Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun and Mahler’s Adagietto.
To conclude Summerfest, Falletta leads the BPO and Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus in A Salute to John Williams on August 3. The entire family can relish in the masterpieces of John Williams, whose unforgettable film scores include Star Wars, ET: The Extra Terrestrial, Superman and the Indiana Jones saga.
This year’s Summerfest is a fine display of the visual and performing arts work that cultural organizations like Artpark and the BPO present to the community. And organizers believe the series has a tangible effect on the local economy, too.
“The BPO Summerfest has a very positive impact on the Lewiston community; it generates significant traffic for local retail and restaurants,” Osborne says.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 754-4375 or visit www.artpark.net.
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