The 2014 Festival Amadeus classical music event in Whitefish launches its seventh season with a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, in Whitefish Depot Park.

The concert will be a preview for the music that will be offered through the week of chamber and orchestra concerts, all held at 7:30 p.m. in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center in downtown Whitefish.

Produced by the Glacier Symphony and Chorale under the direction of music director John Zoltek, the festival features internationally acclaimed guest artists who will be paired in three chamber ensembles and featured as soloists with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra in four concert programs. 

These artists have also invited the public to sit in on several open rehearsals before their performances as well as to listen to talks about their musical journey for the students of Camp Festival Amadeus, the North Valley Music School Chamber Music camp that runs concurrently with Festival Amadeus.

The Festival Amadeus 2014 guest artist lineup includes the internationally acclaimed Fry Street Quartet. Comprised of Robert Waters, violin, Rebecca McFaul, violin, Bradley Ottesen, viola, and Ann Francis Bayless, cello, the quartet returns for it second appearance with the festival. 

Two more festival artists who have previously performed with the Glacier Symphony include Polish-born violinist Kinga Augustyn and pianist Spencer Myer. Joining them will be Tanya Gabrielian, a rising young pianist based in New York. Performing with pianist Gabrielian in a chamber concert will be Festival Amadeus orchestra principal musicians Reid Merley, oboe, Dinah Weimer, clarinet, Alicia McLean, bassoon, and Paul Rossi, French horn.

Camp director Marisa Van Lawick says the public is welcome to observe the camp classes and the talks with the artists. The camp activities will be held in the Whitefish Middle School, right next to the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, so it will be an easy flow between the students and the festival rehearsals and activities. The artist talks will be held in the performing arts center lobby and classes will be held upstairs in the Whitefish Middle School music wing.

Gates open at 6 p.m. for Sunday’s opening concert. Zoltek says it will be representative of the classical music in the festival lineup. The program starts with a well-known favorite, Handel’s “Water Music,” and continues with Mendelsshon’s “Fingal’s Cave,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Several Mozart works are also programmed, including the excerpts from the opera “The Marriage of Figaro” and the “Linz” Symphony.  

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic, lawn chairs or blankets and are welcome to enjoy beer or wine. Food vendors will offer a variety of entrees and beer and wine will be sold by the Glacier Symphony and Chorale.  

Both a Festival Pass and a Pick 4 Pass are available for the Festival Amadeus concerts and can be purchased by calling 406-407-7000. The Festival Pass is transferable and is priced at $188 for adults, $166 for seniors and $102 for students. A Pick 4 Pass offering a choice of any four concerts is priced at $122 for adults, $107 for seniors and $67 for students. Single tickets are priced in two seating tiers and can be purchased on the website www.gscmusic.org.

FREE FESTIVAL AMADEUS EVENTS

Sunday, Aug. 3: Free preview Open Air Concert at Whitefish Depot Park. Gates open at 6 pm concert at 7 pm. The Glacier Symphony and North Valley Music School hosts the Instrument Petting Zoo. Bring a picnic or buy food and beverages from vendors. 

Monday, Aug. 4

Noon to 1 p.m. — Open Rehearsal of Fry Street Quartet, onstage at Whitefish Performing Arts Center

3 to 4 p.m. — Camp Festival Amadeus Student Recital featuring student ensembles in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center lobby

Tuesday, Aug. 5

Noon to 1 p.m. — Open Rehearsal of Kinga Augustyn and Spencer Myer, onstage, Whitefish Performing Arts Center

3 to 4 p.m. — Camp Festival Amadeus “Musical Journey” with the Fry Street Quartet, Whitefish Performing Arts Center lobby

5:30 to 7 p.m. — Camp Festival Amadeus Kids perform on the patio of Piney Creek Interiors, downtown Whitefish

Wednesday Aug. 6

Noon to 1 p.m. — “Piano Adventures,” talk by Spencer Myer, onstage, Whitefish Performing Arts Center

3 to 4 p.m. — Camp Festival Amadeus, “Musical Journey” with Kinga Augustyn and Spencer Myer in Whitefish Performing Arts Center lobby

Thursday, Aug. 7

Noon to 2:45 p.m. — Camp Festival Amadeus Student Orchestra and Ensemble rehearsal

3 to 4 p.m. — Camp Festival Amadeus “Musical Journey” with Tanya Gabrielian, Whitefish Performing Arts Center lobby

 Friday, Aug. 8

Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Camp Festival Amadeus Student Concert featuring the orchestra and ensembles playing a variety of instruments, including classical and chamber music along with Celtic fiddling, ukulele, rock and jazz ensembles.

FESTIVAL AMADEUS in WHITEFISH CONCERT SCHEDULE

Sunday Aug. 3: “Open Air Orchestra Concert” at Whitefish Depot Park Gates open at 6 p.m, concert begins 7 p.m. No charge for admisison. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. 

Concerts at Whitefish Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

Chamber Night 1: “Fry Street Quartet in Concert,” Monday, Aug. 4, Fry Street Quartet

Chamber Night 2: “Mozart Piano Wind Quintet,” Tuesday, Aug. 5, Tanya Gabrielian, Reid Merley, Dinah Weimer, Alicia McLean, Paul Rossi.

Orchestra Night 1: “Mozart’s Elvira Madigan,” Wednesday, Aug. 6, Tanya Gabrielian with the Fesival Amadeus Orchestra, John Zoltek Conductor.

Chamber Night 3: “Violin Piano Synergy,” Thursday, Aug. 7, Kinga Augustyn and Spencer Myer.

Orchestra Night 2: “A Little Night Music,” Friday, Aug. 8, Fry Street Quartet with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra Strings, John Zoltek Conductor.

Orchestra Night 3: “Turkish Polonaise,” Saturday, Aug. 9, Kinga Augustyn with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra, John Zoltek, conductor.

Orchestra Night 4: “Festival Grand Finale,” Sunday, Aug. 10, Spencer Myer with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra, John Zoltek, conductor.

FESTIVAL AMADEUS in BIGFORK CONCERT SCHEDULE

A new addition to the Festival this year will be three chamber concerts held on August 5, 6, 7 in Bigfork that will feature the Festival Amadeus chamber artists. The concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Blessed Pope John Paul II Catholic Church with a wine and champagne reception starting at 6:30 p.m. on the church patio that offers vistas of the Swan Mountains.  

Festival Amadeus in Bigfork tickets include the wine tasting for age-appropriate adults and are priced at $20 adult; $18 senior; $10 youth. Festival Amadeus Bigfork three-concert passes are available for $50 adult; $45 senior; $25 youth.

“Violin Piano Synergy”: Tuesday, Aug. 5, Kinga Augustyn, violin, Spencer Myer, piano

Fry Street Quartet, Wednesday, Aug. 6, Fry Street Quartet

“Mozart Piano Wind Quintet”: Thursday, Aug. 7, Tanya Gabrielian, Reid Merley, Dinah Weimer, Alicia McLean, Paul Rossi.