Introducing Guelph Musicfest

Guelph Musicfest is a totally new series taking place in May 2007. Most of these exciting performances take place in the Recital Hall of the Guelph Youth Music Centre. This venue is Guelph’s musical gem—an intimate space, seating only 180, and specifically designed for chamber music and recitals. The acoustics are wonderful so music truly comes alive.

The centerpiece of the series is a trio of recitals by truly great music artists. On Saturday May 12, longtime Guelph favourite soprano Theresa Thibodeau opens Guelph Musicfest with “Theresa Thibodeau & Friends,” teaming up with husband/baritone John Medina, tenor Glyn Evans, and pianist Betty Maher. Solos, duets, you name it, with music ranging from operatic arias to broadway, this will be a memorable evening not to be missed!

I’m thrilled that my dear friend, pianist Valerie Tryon will be performing on Thursday May 17. Many in Guelph will remember her fabulous performances in the Guelph Spring Festival. Her international acclaim is well deserved—Valerie is simply one of the finest living pianists and has musicianship of the highest calibre. She will be playing the rarely performed Grieg Piano Sonata, Mozart’s Fantasia in C minor, a selection of Scarlatti Sonatas and Debussy Preludes (the composer is one of her passions), as well as Chopin’s Barcarolle and the Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise.

The recital by German-born violinist Annette-Barbara Vogel is sure to be stunning. It is a miracle that an artist of her stature has come to live in Ontario (she now teaches at the University of Western Ontario), but that is our fortune. Annette is a fiery performer with tons of technical prowess. Beethoven’s "Spring" Sonata gives us our seasonal music. But the highlight should be Szymanowski’s rarely heard but truly amazing Violin Sonata. I’ll be accompanying Annette on the piano.

Special concerts in Guelph Musicfest include a Benefit Concert for the Suzuki String School of Guelph on Friday May 25. The performance brings together two SSSG alumni who are pursuing careers in music performance—cellist Adam Riggs, a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University who will be pursuing post-graduate studies next year, and violinist Meredith McCallum, who graduated from McGill University and is now studying at the Conservatory of San Francisco. The program will include Adam performing the phenomenal Rachmaninov Cello Sonata (in collaboration with pianist Stephanie Mara, who is generously donating her service). Meredith’s performance will include Chausson’s Poème, and more. Adam, Meredith and I will join together in the first movement of Brahms’ Piano Trio no. 1 in B major.

And finally, the series officially ends with a special partnership concert by the Guelph Youth Singers at the River Run Centre on Saturday May 26. Also part of Guelph’s Shakespeare: Made in Canada Festival, this fun concert is inspired by the double themes of food and Shakespeare. An all-Shakespeare segment will include a jazzy arrangement of "Lovers Love the Spring" and John Govedas' quirky “Mulligatawny MacBeth.” Hear and see choreographed food titles such as “Food, Glorious Food” and “Feed the Birds,” while the youngest singers will steal the show with “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.”

In putting together this series, I had in mind two things—Guelph deserved and could support a good recital series; and I followed the advice of former professor turned friend, Alan Walker, who, when asked how he programs his Great Romantics Festival in Hamilton, answers that he simply tries to make a series that he personally would love to attend. I’ve done exactly that with Guelph Musicfest. I hope you agree that this is a series you will love! Explore the web site, and even better, order your series tickets.

By the way, net proceeds from the Recital series are in benefit of the Guelph Youth Music Centre.

Ken Gee artistic director