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BMF announces new lineup

KIMBERLY NICOLETTI
summit daily news

The Blue River Series component of the Breckenridge Music Festival “came out on top” and made much more money than it did in 2008 – a year it actually lost revenue, said spokesperson Rick Hansen.

As a result, the BMF will add two more shows to the Blue River Series this summer, for a total of six artist offerings. The series includes music of popular genres, from country to pop and rock. This year, there may even be a reggae act, Hansen said. He also promises bigger names than the series has offered in the past.

Last summer, classical concert ticket sales started off slow but bounced back, creating a revenue stream about equal to that of 2008, Hansen said. New programming, such as a tribute to Breckenridge and the Old West and a Grand Italian Opera, helped spark greater interest in the classical series. Since the Old West was such a big hit, the 2010 summer festival will expand on the regional theme with a South of the Border orchestral concert featuring the Spanish-influenced music of Latin America, said Marcia Kaufmann, executive director.



“The Winter Series has some out-of-the-ordinary events this year,” Kaufmann said.

• It begins Thursday, Jan. 21 with Summit High School Ensembles Showcase Benefit Performance at Colorado Mountain College’s new auditorium. The chamber groups range from woodwind quintets to violin and piano. The second half of the concert features the nationally recognized Summit High School Jazz Band.



• Tuesday, Feb. 2’s Among Friends show features Keith Lemmons on clarinet, Sally Guenther on cello and Debra Ayers on piano. The chamber music concert includes Beethoven’s work and rhythmically compelling work by composer Chan Ka Nin. Critics have praised Among Friends, and the concert has earned major chamber music awards. After the show, Karen and Jack Hynds open their Breckenridge home to attendees for appetizers, desserts, wines and champagne.

• Blue River Series programming appears for the first time in this winter’s series, with Joe Pug, a Chicago songwriter, on Friday, Feb. 5.

“When you listen to his songs – just him and an acoustic guitar – you can’t help but think of early Dylan, Springsteen and Guthrie in his style of lyrics and guitar playing,” Hansen said. “We cannot wait to have him here and hope that everyone who loves songwriters comes to see this young talent at a small venue before he gets too big to play here.”

• Saturday, Feb. 13, Breck goes way south of the border with Brazilian violinist Carmelo de los Santos. The evening includes Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata, Prokofiev’s dazzling D Major Sonata and exceptional music from Brazilian composers Marlos Nobre and Souza Lima. Following the concert, Geralyn and Jim Smitherman will host a reception with wines, cheese, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

• Saturday, Feb. 20 showcases four hands, two voices and one stunning evening of music, featuring Jessica Medoff Bunchman, soprano; Patrick Mason, baritone; and Michael Bunchman and William Hobbs on piano.

• Romantic Idealism becomes the theme on Saturday, March 13, with BMF Orchestra musicians Michael Linville on piano, James Holland on cello and Meghan Holland on violin. Pieces include Beethoven’s Piano Trio and Schumann’s Piano Quintet.

• Viva la Voce brings in Illana Davidson, soprano; Krista Rivers, mezzo-soprano; and Jason McStoots, tenor. The program includes a variety of art song, opera and musical theater.

• The Winter Series closes out on April 3 with “Tales of Edgar Allen Poe.”

“(This) is also going to be a first for the series, with musical guests who are members of the Philadelphia Orchestra,” Kaufmann said. “The concert was arranged for the series by the orchestra’s principal harpist, and so features ensemble music centered around the harp.”

For more information, visit http://www.breckenridgemusicfestival.com or call (970) 453-9142.


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