It's hard to believe it has been ten years since the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival began in Niagara-on-the-Lake, founded by Artistic Director Atis Bankas. But here it is again, entertaining audiences from all over Niagara through to August 16th. What is also hard to believe is the fact this is my first year attending the festival!
I received an invitation from Barbara Worthy, one of the organizers of the annual music festival, to attend a performance of my choice and see what all the excitement was about. I took her up on her offer, and I will be back for more! The festival brings together many musicians from all over the world to perform at various venues around Niagara, so the list to choose from is long. We chose the performance by Toronto-based Quartetto Gelato, scheduled for this past Monday evening at St. Mark's Anglican Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, certainly one of the loveliest small churches in the area.
As is usually the case with peformances in a church, seating was general admission, and even arriving about 20 minutes before the 7:30 start was probably a bit too late. We got fairly good seats, all things considered, and even splurged on the extra cushions being offered for a small donation. I suggest if you go you do the same - those pews are hard after a two-hour concert!
The audience was certainly up for this performance and knew the group well. Several standing ovations during the performance ensured not one but two encores before the evening was done; this despite a very hot and uncomforatable environment on a summer's night. I would have hoped organizers could have opened the doors to the church during the performance to at least get a bit of a breeze going through there.
As for the music, well, it was pretty much as expected: charming, witty and very engaging music that was not the least bit challenging to listen to, but presenting plenty of challenges for the performers. Right across the board, the musicianship is first-rate: accordion player Alexander Sevastian, four-time champion in the International Accordion Competition (who knew?) was astounding, as was clarinettist Kornel Wolak. Leader of the group, violinist and singer Peter de Sotto provided engaging chatter along with breathtaking dexterity on the violin. All in all, an evening not to be missed!
There is still plenty of time to catch a performance or two or three. Canadian pianist Anton Kuerti headlines this weekend's performances; he will be in concert on Saturday evening. For complete listings on the remainder of the festival along with ticket information, log on to their website at www.niagaramusicfest.com. And if a recording of one of the performers is what you're after, contact me through my website at www.finemusic.ca, and I will do my very best to get it for you.
Enjoy the music in Niagara this summer!
August 7th, 2008.
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