Many Glimmerglass artists get involved in other community events during their summer residency in Otsego County. This summer, members of the Glimmerglass Festival Orchestra, along with a few special guests, will kick off a new concert series sponsored by Cherry Valley Artworks.
On August 7, the Fenimore String Quartet will present Schubert’s String Quartet in a minor (“Rosamund”), Piazzolla’s “Four, for Tango” and Ravel’s String Quartet. This concert features Ruotao Mao, violin I; Sue Rabut, Violin II; DeeDee Fancher, viola; Ruth Berry, cello.
Ensembles large and small will take the stage on August 14. This concert, organized by Ubaldo Valli, will present various combinations of instruments playing a wide range of music, including Benjamin Britten’s Les Illuminations, conducted by David Angus and featuring soprano Lee Bisset. Additional selections will be announced on www.cvartworks.org closer to the date of the concert.
On August 21, Big Galut(e) will present a variety of klezmer favorites, including soulful solo improvisations, frolicking freylekhs, hobbling horas and bustling bulgars. As befits its name (Galut means Diaspora in Hebrew) the group will also perform music drawn from worldwide Jewish traditions: Spanish-tinged Sephardic songs, Middle Eastern melodies, tunes and schtick from the Yiddish theater, and even elements of jazz and the blues. The name Big Galut(e) also hints at the unique combination of instruments including — along with the traditional clarinet, violin, bass, and accordion, —baroque guitar and a giant lute. Players include Robin Seletsky, Sasha Margolis, Michael Leopold, Mark Rubinstein, Richard Sosinsky, plus some special guests.
All concerts take place at 7:30pm in the Star Theater, 44 Main Street, Cherry Valley, NY. Admission is just $7 ($6 for Artworks members). Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.
Cherry Valley Artworks was founded to promote the art, culture and rich history of Cherry Valley, to provide a forum for artists and others interested in the arts, and to demonstrate how the arts can generate a sense of excitement and promise that contributes to a vital community. In 2009 the organization began renovation of a historic building in downtown Cherry Valley. When renovation is complete, this community arts center will include classroom and exhibit space to complement the offerings in the already functional Star Theater. For more information, visit www.cherryvalleyartworks.com.