Dan's Papers - August 1, 2008 - Accessible, First-Rate "Classical" Music in the Hamptons

In the last few decades, classical music has established a strong presence on the East End, as first rate professional musicians have come together in several ensembles and organizations.

"Twenty years ago, there wasn't any [classical music] scene out here," said Barbara Giancola, artistic director for the Opera of the Hamptons. "There were a lot of art galleries, but no music." Now, each summer the East End seems to offer more classical music performances and this summer doesn't disappoint.

The Opera of the Hamptons has three great shows in August, starting with a classical concert on August 2. This show, the first concert of its kind on the East End, will be an international showcase feature up-and-coming opera singers Zurab Ninua, Nathan Baer, Irene Silverman and Liana Graffanino, this year's winner of the Franco Gentioesca Young Artist Program. The music for the concert will include the world premiere of two songs composed by Jose Luis Greco sung by mezzo-soprano Anna Tonna, plus songs from the other performers' countries. Tonna will also sing Zarzuela, Rossini and a duet from La Giaconda.

On August 9, Opera of the Hamptons will present Bizet's classic, Carmen. "It's dramatic, riveting and the best music drama of all time," said Giancola. "It has a great, large cast and it's very accessible to the public." Both Carmen and the August 2 concert will be held at Levitas Hall at the Southampton Cultural Center.

The season close, on August 16 at Duck Walk in Southhold, is called "From Opera to Broadway." The audience can bring blankets and a picnic and purchase wine to enjoy the music in a relaxing evening. Giancola said Broadway's revival of South Pacific will be highlighted, among other offerings.

Music at Southampton is another series that's going strong, doubling the number of performances offered this summer to a total of eight. The program now offers jazz and cabaret as well as classical. "There's such fabulous music [on the East End that] we wanted to add vocal music to the mix," said Linda Merians, the program's co-founder and administrative director. "Our mission is to celebrate the marriage of language and music."

Accessible classical music is a main component of the program. Patrick Carfizzi (Bass-baritone) accompanied by pianist Kathleen Kelly will perform August 7; Christine Brewer (Soprano) and Craig Rutenberg (piano) are scheduled for August 14. All performances are at the Stony Brook, Southampton campus.

Moving away from vocal music, there's the highly regarded Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival under artistic director/flutist Marya Martin, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. The nine performances between now and the end of the festival include the popular Wm. Brian Little concert of three Bach concerti at the beautiful Channing Daughters Vineyard Sculpture Garden on August 8, and the final performance of the season, the "Schubertian Send-off" on August 17 at Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, featuring the music of Schubert, Mozart and American composer Ned Rorem.

Pianofest, which promotes contemporary American classical music and features talented young artists, is in its 20th season of weekly concerts. It presents pianists at the Avram Theater at Stony Brook, Southampton and still has two performances left this summer on August 4, and the Grand Marathon on August 9.

The Perlman Music Program offers a number of summer performances, including "Works in Progress" on August 1 and 2, and chamber music workshops at its Shelter Island campus in mid-August. Season highlights include the program's 2nd Annual Faculty and Student Chamber Music Concert at Old Whalers Church in Sag Harbor on August 16, and the Final Student Concerts on August 22 and 23 on Shelter Island.

The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center has also made its foray into the classical music arena, bringing the New York City Opera to the PAC for the third year in a row on August 23, led by Maestro Jerry Steichen.