- World Renowned Artists to Perform in Historic Venues –
Cartagena, Colombia – From January 5 to 12, 2008 the historic city of Cartagena will once again become the setting for the Cartagena, Festival Internacional de Musica. Under the artistic direction of Charles Wadsworth, renowned pianist and creator of chamber music events worldwide, the 2008 festival will offer 16 concerts in some of the cities most historic and picturesque venues including, the Teatro Heredia and the chapels of the Hotels Sofitel Santa Clara, Charleston Cartagena Santa Teresa, the Church of Santo Toribio and the Plaza San Pedro Claver.
“Last year’s festival was an enormous success,” says Wadsworth. “At every concert – whether in the beautiful Teatro Heredia, the magnificent chapels, or the grand Plaza San Pedro, standing-room-only appreciative audiences responded enthusiastically to the artists who came from around the world to perform. It was unforgettable experience for all of us.”
The program for the 2008 festival will include memorable works by: Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Dessene, Dvorak, Gluck, Golijov, Gougeon, Hayden, Hubay, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Milhaud, Mozart, Paganini, Pergolesi, Poulenc, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saens, Schumann, Smetana, Tchaikovsky, Telemann, Vaughn-Williams, Vivaldi, and an original composition by festival Associate Director and pianist, Stephen Prutsman.
“I’m confident audiences will once again find a week of music they will enjoy and long remember. The unique beauty and charm of Cartagena, with festival venues in easy walking distance, make it the perfect setting for a chamber music festival,” says Wadsworth.
Charles Wadsworth first gained international attention in 1960 at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, where he originated the festival’s famed “Midday Concerts.” In 1977, he started the chamber concert series of the Spoleto USA Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, which he continues to direct, perform in as pianist and introduce as its acclaimed host. In 1969, he organized and performed in the opening concerts of Alice Tully Hall. As founding artistic director of the Chamber Society of Lincoln Center, he then led 20 seasons of concerts with wit and originality, invoking considerable enthusiasm and introducing chamber music to new audiences. Wadsworth commissioned 65 new chamber works from such celebrated composers as Boulez, Barber and Bernstein as well as young composers. He presented Beverly Sills, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Andre Watts, and introduced such new artists as Kathleen Battle, Richard Goode, Yo-Yo Ma, Peter Serkin, Pinchas Zukerman and Jessye Norman. He has been recognized worldwide for his enormous contributions to the music world.
“The 2008 roster includes magnificent world-renowned artists, and this year for the first time, we will be featuring Angelica Gamez, well-known Colombian violinist and Mario Alberto Sarmento Rodriquez, percussion (Director of the Nacional Conservatory); Alejandro Ruiz Zulaga, percussion (Orquesta Filarmonica de Medellin); Bibiana Ordonez, harp (teacher, Nacional Conservatory); Giovanni Scarpetta Diaz, trombone (Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Colombia); Javier Caceres Carreno, piccolo (Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Colombia); and Sandra Duque Pereira, contrabassoon, (Orquesta Filarmonica de Bogota),” says Wadsworth.
Throughout the week-long festival, guests will have the opportunity to attend informal lectures on the evening’s featured programs.
“Music is a very important part of Colombian culture,” says Julia Salvi, president of the Victor Salvi Foundation and president of the board of directors of the festival. “As a native of Colombia, it is a personal pleasure for me to bring the foundation’s support to this country under our program “Formando Música,” which last year was instrumental in arranging masterclasses for gifted young musicians and their teachers during the festival. In addition, we arranged for other young music students from around the country to attend festival activities and meet the artists. Already strong bonds have been formed that are on-going.”
“The foundation’s goal is to reach more than 150,000 children through its programs designed to improve music education and teacher training, expand access to musical instruments, provide instrument maintenance and repair, support the music system of Colombia – its music schools, conservatories and social programs like Batuta, and take a leadership role in expanding corporate support for the cultural needs of the country. In the future, Fundacion Salvi Colombia plans to expand its programming to include a Suzuki harp program for children,” says Salvi.
“We believe that when children are taught at an early age to appreciate the arts – whether it’s music, art, dance or any other creative outlet – they ultimately grow up to be healthier, well-rounded adults. The arts nurture the soul and bring beauty into the lives of others. It’s the best antidote to war, something that has plagued this country for many years,” she added.
2008 Performing Artists
Charles Wadsworth, Founder Artistic Director and piano
Stephen Prutsman, Associate Artistic Director and piano
Yuli Turovsky, musical director and conductor to I Musici de Montréal
Paula Robison, flute
Jose Franch Ballester, clarinet
Todd Palmer, clarinet
Catrin Finch, harp
Livia Sohn, violin
Elina Vahala, violin
Anagelica Gamez, violin
Hsin- Yun Huang, viola
Andrés Diaz, cello
Romero Lubambo, guitar
Wendy Chen, piano
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Cyro Baptista, percussion
St. Lawrence String Quartet
I Musici de Montréal, orchestra
For more information about the 2008 Cartagena International Festival of Music including, the complete program please visit: www.cartagenamusicfestival.com
Editor’s Note: Digital images of the artists and festival venues are available upon request.
Click here to download a copy of the original press release in PDF format.
