VIVE LA FRANCE!
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Announces
2017 Festival of French Music
February 12-March 23
Celebrate the joie de vivre in this multi-organizational celebration of the music, culture and cuisine of France.
(Sarasota, Florida) John Fischer, managing director of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, announced today that the organization is collaborating with 12 area groups in the Festival of French Music, a celebration of the music, culture and cuisine of France. The festival, which features concerts, lectures, exhibits, and culinary adventures, is February 12 through March 23 at venues throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. (Check individual listings below for dates, times and venue.)
According to Joseph Holt, Artist Series Concert’s director of artistic programs, the festival came about as a happy coincidence during programming the current season.
“When we were planning the Artist Series Concerts’ 2016-2017 season a year ago, it was with the knowledge that many area residents enjoy the music and culture of France,” he says. “With that in mind we booked five programs in February and March that involved French music and, in some cases, French musicians. We shared the idea with close artistic friends, including Gloria Musicae, SILL, Sarasota Opera, Michael’s On East and others and soon learned that they, too, had plans that dovetailed wonderfully with our own. With that came the idea to pull all of the information together and share it with the community. It was pure serendipity.”
Fischer explains that they then reached out to other organizations, including the Alliance Française of Sarasota, Sarasota Music Archives, SILL, Selby Gardens and Sarasota Orchestra Friends to invite them to participate. “They happily jumped on board,” says Fischer, “and to entice the French epicureans among us, we asked Michael’s On East to add their culinary artistry to the program—and voilá!”
Holt says that many of the programs are free or offered at a low cost but he recommends those interested to contact each presenting organization for more information.
Festival Activities at a Glance
(Events that are free are noted with an asterisk.)
February 12
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
French Connection with Edgar Moreau, cello and Jessica Xylina Osborne, piano.
Called the “rising star of the French cello,” and a “young musketeer of the bow,” 22-year-old French-born Edgar Moreau consistently captivates audiences with his effortless virtuosity and dynamic performances. Moreau and pianist Jessica Xylina Osborne perform works by Poulenc, Beethoven and Brahms. February 12, 3:00 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road, Sarasota. Tickets and info at www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
February 13
Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL)
Music Mondays with June LeBell, featuring Edgar Moreau, cello.
As part of an ongoing collaboration between SILL, Artist Series Concerts and Young Concert Artists, cellist Edgar Moreau follows up his Sunday performance with an appearance at June LeBell’s popular series of musical conversations with great performers. February 13, 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, and 3:00 p.m. at Venice Presbyterian Church, 825 The Rialto, Venice. Tickets and info at www.sillsarasota.org.
February 13
Selby Gardens
Lecture: Marc Chagall’s Côte D’Azur with Dr. Carol Ockman
Dr. Carol Ockman, curator-at-large with Selby Gardens and the Robert Sterling Clark Professor of Art History at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., discusses Selby Garden’s first-of-its-kind exhibition, “Marc Chagall, Flowers and the French Riviera: The Color of Dreams.” The event includes a plated lunch at Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens. February 13, 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Tickets and info at www.selby.org.
February 15
Sarasota Opera
*Lecture: At Their Doorstep, with author Charlotte Perret
Explore the street fairs of Paris and their carnival folk via stories and photographic postcards from the 1900s. February 15, 11:00 a.m. at the Kamlet Library of the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
February 15
Sarasota Opera / Alliance Française of Sarasota
*Lecture: Dialogues of the Carmelites: The Big Picture
An event designed to bring the background of Francis Poulenc’s opera “Dialogues of the Carmelites” to the foreground. The event features talks led by Dr. Jocelyn Vantuyl and Dr. Maribeth Clark, both of New College, and musical excerpts of the opera presented by artists of the Sarasota Opera. February 15, 7:00 p.m. at the Kamlet Library of the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. More info at www.sarasotaopera.org.
February 16
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Lunch, Look & Listen: La Flûte Enchantée with Jenny Kim-Godfrey, soprano, Betsy Traba, flute and Joseph Holt, piano
Part of Artist Series Concerts’ popular Lunch, Look & Listen series, the trio performs works by Poulenc, Mouquet, Mozart and Saint-Saëns. Ticket price includes lunch. February 16, 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. Tickets and info at www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
February 19
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Rejoicing in Ravel I with John Brancy, baritone, Peter Dugan, piano, Betsy Traba, flute and Christopher Schnell, cello
Rising young opera star John Brancy is joined by pianist Peter Dugan, and Sarasota Orchestra musicians Betsy Traba and Christopher Schnell for a program of works by Ravel, Schumann, Debussy and more. February 19, 3:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road, Sarasota. Tickets and info at www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
February 20
Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL)
Music Mondays with June LeBell, featuring John Brancy, baritone and Peter Dugan, piano.
As part of an ongoing collaboration between SILL, Artist Series Concerts and Young Concert Artists, baritone John Brancy and pianist Peter Dugan follow up their Sunday performance with an appearance at June LeBell’s popular series of musical conversations with great performers. February 20, 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, and 3:00 p.m. at Venice Presbyterian Church, 825 The Rialto, Venice. Tickets and info at www.sillsarasota.org.
February 22
Sarasota Music Archive
*Close Up on Opera: Dialogues of the Carmelites with John Goodman
The “Close Up On Opera” series is presented by John Goodman, a well-known expert on the subject and also president of Sarasota Music Archive. In this segment, Goodman discusses the Sarasota Opera’s upcoming production of Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites.” February 22, 10:30 a.m. at the Geldbart Auditorium of Selby Library, 1331 First Street, Sarasota. More info at www.sarasotamusicarchive.org.
February 28
Sarasota Opera
Meet the Artists of “Dialogues of the Carmelites”
Sarasota Opera’s artistic director Victor DeRenzi interviews the singers and artistic staff responsible for bringing the new production of Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites” to the Sarasota Opera stage. February 28, 5:00 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. More info at www.sarasotaopera.org.
March 1
Sarasota Music Archive
*Rejoicing in Ravel II with David Davani, baritone and Joseph Holt, piano
Baritone David Davani, a semi-finalist in Artist Series Concerts’ 2016 National Competition for Voice, performs with Joseph Holt. March 1, 10:30 a.m. at the Geldbart Auditorium of Selby Library, 1331 First Street, Sarasota. More info at www.sarasotamusicarchive.org.
March 3
Midday Music at Northminster
*Rejoicing in Ravel II with David Davani, baritone and Joseph Holt, piano
Baritone David Davani, a semi-finalist in Artist Series Concerts’ 2016 National Competition for Voice, performs with Joseph Holt. March 3, 12:00 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st Street, Sarasota. More info at NPCSarasota.com.
March 5
Gloria Musicae – Choral Artists of Sarasota
Faithfully French Choral Gems
Conducted by artistic director Joseph Holt, Sarasota’s professional chorus performs Duruflé’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria, with guest organist Stephen Hamilton and soloists Jenny Kim-Godfrey, soprano, Amy Jo Connours, mezzo soprano and David Davani, baritone. March 5, 7:00 p.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Tickets and more info at www.gloriamusicae.org.
March 12
Music at Christ Church
*Marcel Dupré: Le Chemin de la Croix (Stations of the Cross)
Cricitcally acclaimed concert organist Stephen Hamilton is probably best known for his for his vivid and moving interpretation of Dupré’s “Le Chemin de la Croix.” March 12, 4:00 p.m. at Christ Church Bradenton, 4030 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton. More info at www.ChristChurchSWFLA.org.
March 16
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Lunch Look & Listen: Voix Françaises with Belle Canto
Part of Artist Series Concerts’ popular Lunch, Look & Listen series, Sarasota’s women’s chorus Belle Canto performs works by Debussy, Ravel and Porter. Ticket price includes lunch. March 16, 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. at Micheal’s On East, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. Tickets and info at www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
March 19
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
La Vie en Rose: Parisian Society Café Music
New York-based French singer Violette and the seven-piece La Vie en Rose Band are a delightful marriage of French chanson and Golden Age swing, performing a repertoire of timeless American standards and French jazz, with a special tribute to Edith Piaf. March 19, 3:00 p.m. at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Way, Venice. Tickets and more info at www.artistseriesconcerts.org
March 21
Sarasota Garden Club
Preview Dinner – Pièce de Résistance
Offering a sumptuous menu of European specialties sure to please the palate, the evening will also feature live entertainment and silent and live auctions. March 21, 6:00 p.m. at the Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. Tickets and info at www.sarasotagardenclub.org.
March 23 – 26
Sarasota Orchestra Friends
*Paris Flea Market
Shop for jewelry, designer clothing, art, collectibles, furniture, housewares and more. Proceeds benefit the Sarasota Orchestra and its Youth Orchestra program. March 23, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., March 24 – 26, 10 :00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Sarasota-Bradenton Commerce Center, 7246 16th Street East, Bradenton. More info at www.SOFriends.org/Paris.
Ongoing / Repeating Events
Throughout February
Michael’s On East
French Epicurian Adventure
The culinary team at Michael’s On East takes guests on its annual “Epicurean Adventure” to France, featuring old world wines from Bordeaux, Rhone Valley and Languedoc, paired with classic French cooking techniques. Throughout the month of February at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. More info at www.bestfood.com
February 12-July 20
Selby Gardens
Marc Chagall, Flowers and the French Riviera: The Color of Dreams
A first-of-its-kind, immersive exhibition of Marc Chagall’s nature-inspired artwork, on display in Sarasota’s world-renowned botanical garden. As the first botanical garden to exhibit Chagall’s work, “The Color of Dreams” also marks the first time that the profound influence of nature on the great artist is examined in-depth. February 12 – July 20, daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Tickets and more info at www.selby.org.
March 4-12
Sarasota Opera
Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites”
Set during the French Revolution’s infamous “Reign of Terror,” the opera follows the story of Blanche de la Force as she dedicates her life to God’s service by joining a Carmelite order. As the story unfolds, the revolution threatens to destroy all that’s most sacred to the nuns. Blanche’s journey will lead her to learn the true meaning of faith. March 4, 7, 15 and 24, 7:30 p.m. and March 12 and 18, 1:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Tickets and info at www.sarasotaopera.org.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as Artist Series of Sarasota. The non-profit organization presents world-class musical experiences in a diverse range of genres, including classical, cabaret, pop, Broadway, orchestral and opera. A central focus of Artist Series Concerts’ mission is to spark a lifelong love of the musical arts by exposing young people to interactive music experiences. It accomplishes this through its performance-based outreach programs in area schools, creating unique learning opportunities for thousands of students and educators every year. In addition, Artist Series Concerts’ preeminent Sarasota National Music Scholarship Awards grants more than $20,000 annually to gifted, young musicians from around the country. Past winners have gone on to study at leading music conservatories and pursued successful music careers. For more information, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
