The 2020 season runs June 12 through September 7.
Sister Bay, Wis. – April 17, 2020 – Midsummer’s Music, Wisconsin’s oldest summer chamber music series, is celebrating its 30th summer of presenting exceptional chamber music in the vacation paradise of Door County, Wisconsin. Concerts hailed as “exciting, pulse-pounding and riveting” are given in a variety of cultural, historical and scenic locations, including art galleries, museums, historic sites, and private homes, with several venues offering panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. The 2020 season, running June 12 through September 7, features 38 concerts performed by world-class musicians, drawing on the extraordinary talent of artists from the Chicago Symphony, Chicago’s Lyric Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, China National Symphony, the Ravinia Festival, and the renowned Pro Arte Quartet, among others. The concerts feature standard repertoire as well as gems from lesser-known composers and attract a growing, dedicated following every year, plus thousands more via Wisconsin Public Radio broadcasts and on Live from Chicago’s WFMT Radio.
Providing unique, diverse and scenic musical experiences, the theme for the 30th anniversary season is a celebration of favorite repertoire from the series’ first 30 years, a special focus on Beethoven’s 250th birthday, and a continuing tradition of championing the works of female composers throughout the season, which will spotlight Louise Farrenc and Libby Larsen.
Highlights for the summer season include …
- Opening night on June 12 with WPR’s Norman Gilliland
- 30th anniversary concert event on July 11 at Björklunden with guest artist Eric Lewis
- Live auction of artist-decorated violins
- Washington Island Salon Concert
- Labor Day benefit
Plus Beethoven’s …
- Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
- Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
- Serenade in D Major, Op. 25
- Sextet in E-flat Major, Op. 81b
- The rare Kreutzer Sonata in A Major for string quintet
And works by …
- Dohnanyi
- Tchaikovsky
- Mozart
- George Onslow
- Joachim Raff
- and more!
Midsummer’s Music continues its partnerships with local arts organizations including the Woodwalk Gallery and Write On, Door County featuring collaborations with artists and noted area poets who create original pieces based on inspiration from the music being performed.
A complete 2020 summer brochure can be downloaded at www.midsummersmusic.com.
Tickets are $30 for adults in honor of the 30th Anniversary, $10 for students, and children 12 and under are free. Premium prices apply for salon/home concerts, dinner concerts and other special events. Subscriptions consisting of four concert tickets and flex-packs of six tickets are also available. Tickets can be ordered at www.midsummersmusic.com or by phone at 920-854-7088.
Midsummer’s Music staff, board, patrons, volunteers, and artists are concerned about the current world situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19). Everyone’s safety and health are our top priority! A plan is in place to address future challenges. It is a constantly evolving situation, and preparedness is difficult at best. Between now and the start of our season, we will do everything we can to assure that people feel safe and comfortable at our events. As we near opening night, we will provide updates on the steps we will take and have taken to prepare for attendees. If the current public health crisis prevents Midsummer’s from performing for live audiences, we will make every effort to make concerts available virtually through the Midsummer’s Music website and Facebook page.
Midsummer’s Music was co-founded in 1990 by Jim and Jean Berkenstock, long-time Door County summer residents and principal orchestral players with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. What began as two concerts among friends has become one of the Midwest’s most anticipated chamber music series, bringing thousands of chamber music enthusiasts from around the globe to the magical Door County Peninsula.