Grand Teton Music Festival Welcomes Artists-In-Residence
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Grand Teton Music Festival is one of the premier classical music festivals in the country.
Now in its 54th season, the Festival, which was started in 1962 as part of a movement to develop cultural activities in Jackson Hole, attracts the finest classical musicians from around the world.
This year, the Festival has introduced a new artist-in-residence program, which will bring featured artists to the Festival for a full week, instead of having them stay only long enough for their performances on Friday and Saturday night.
“The goal is to foster a deeper engagement with the community,” explained Andrew Palmer Todd, the Executive Director of the Festival.
From July 12 through July 18, the Festival will host artist-in-residence Alisa Weilerstein, an internationally celebrated young cellist with a distinct musical voice. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall when she was only 14, and since then has continued to wow critics and fans alike with her performances. In 2011, when she was awarded a “Genius Grant,” the MacArthur foundation noted, “Weilerstein is a consummate performer, combining technical precision with impassioned musicianship.”
While at the Festival, Weilerstein will perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor, op. 104 with guest conductor Christian Marcelaru. During the same concert, the Festival Orchestra will perform Copland’s Symphony No. 3. Weilerstein will also play at a free family concert hosted by the Teton County Library.
Most of the concerts at the festival will take place in Walk Hall, located at the base of the Jackson Hole Ski Area in the heart of Teton Village. Built in the 1970s, the all-wooden performance facility was designed with the best acoustics in mind. With only 700 seats, the Hall provides an intimate setting to enjoy some of the world’s finest classical music.
Other notable performances during the Festival include soprano Renée Fleming (July 29, currently sold out), 24-year-old pianist Behzod Abduraimov (August 7-8), and violinist Mark O’Connor (July 22).
The Grand Teton Music Festival runs from July 1st to August 15th in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. For tickets and additional information, visit www.gtmf.org.
