Past Season: 2012 "It's all About Love: from Mozart to Sondheim"
OPENING GALAS
We opened our season with three Gala concerts in our main performing locations. These galas were an occasion to meet our Resident Opera Artists in a more intimate and personal setting, who were featured in our production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte.
ANA VIDOVIC GUITAR RECITAL
The extraordinary Ana Vidovic returned to the Upper Peninsula! She was last seen in our 2008 season and was a stunning addition to the Festival. This international guitar sensation brought her exceptional musicianship, technical mastery, and grace to our concert stages once again. This was a special evening set in the intimate venues of the Upper Peninsula.
COSÌ FAN TUTTE
Mozart’s Così fan tutte, the third collaboration with Lorenzo da Ponte, is a masterpiece of comic invention and dramatic detail. Two young men disguise themselves to test their lovers’ fidelity and what starts out as fun and games, turns into something no one quite bargained for. The alternative title, The School for Lovers (La scuola degli amanti) is perhaps a more precise description of the opera – four naïve young lovers trying to understand and figure out the nature of love and relationships. The mischief makers, Don Alfonso and Despina, two characters with a little more experience, lead the young lovers through the opera, imparting their worldly advice and cynical points of view. The opera was conducted by the remarkable Joseph Mechavich (Il matrimonio segreto 2010) and directed by Artistic Director, Joshua Major. (Pre-opera talk one hour before performance by Joseph Mechavich.)
UPstarts!
This concert featured the future of classical music with all Upper Peninsula musicians! Miles Mykkanen, tenor, from Bessemer and Amanda Boundy, soprano, from Eben Junction are the featured vocalists. Also featured on flute was Savannah Clayton from Calumet. Joining these soloists on piano was another Calumet musical star Susan Byykkonen. These sensational musicians offered a thrilling concert of music familiar and new.
BERGONZI STRING QUARTET
The Bergonzi String Quartet returned to the Festival with their humor, joy, and spirited music making. We were very excited to roll out the red carpet to this foursome so dear to all of us. They were joined by pianist Tian Ying to perform a new arrangement of Gershwin’s great Rhapsody in Blue for Piano and String Quartet.
AN EVENING OF BRAHMS
This concert featured the romantic and lush music of Johannes Brahms including solo piano music with the beautiful playing of Tian Ying at the keyboard and two Brahms Lullabies with Pamela McConnell of the Bergonzi Quartet on viola and Mezzo Soprano Natalie Easter. Steven McGee (Piano), Alison Scherzer (Soprano), Natalie Easter (Mezzo), Kyle Tomlin (Tenor) and Jonathan Christopher (Baritone) joined Tian Ying to present the romantic and thrilling Liebeslieder Waltzes for two pianists and four singers.
VOICE MASTER CLASS
Luretta Bybee, guest artist in our production of A Little Night Music, offered a public Master Class for our Resident Opera Artists. This Master teacher, with an international performing and teaching career, worked with our singers in a Master Class format. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn a little bit about what goes into becoming a successful opera singer.
JEREMY DAVID TARRANT ORGAN RECITAL
Young rising star, Jeremy Tarrant, brought his exciting organ playing to the U.P. He has been Organist and Choirmaster of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Episcopal) in Detroit since 2000 and is quickly developing an exciting international career.
THIRD COAST BRASS
Led by PMMF regular trombonist, Mark Fry, this exciting group of Brass players brought their passion and virtuoso playing to the U.P. Third Coast Brass is comprised of some of the finest brass musicians in the Midwestern United States holding positions in prestigious ensembles including the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Their repertoire included Mozart, Sibelius, Ewald, Sondheim and more.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Sondheim’s enduring and touching masterpiece, A Little Night Music, continued where Così fan tutte leaves off. With a sweeping, lush score, (“Send in the Clowns,” “A Weekend in the Country”) and a plot that cleverly weaves together stories of love, intrigue and heartache, Sondheim continues our exploration of love. Based on Ingmar Bergman's film Smiles of a Summer Night, A Little Night Music is set in a weekend country house in turn-of-the-century Sweden. This witty and romantic story with music set in ¾ time is the perfect midsummer musical. A middle-aged lawyer, an 18-year-old bride, a sardonic old woman, the somber brooding son of the middle-aged lawyer, a former actress lover, the military lover of the former actress lover, the manic depressive wife of the military lover of the former actress lover, and a maid all end up spending a weekend together in a country estate. Wit, romance, heartache and finally, reconciliation ensue.
Past Season: 2011 “The Rockland Season”
Keweenaw Kickoff Gala
We opened our season in the Keweenaw Area with a gala concert at De La Terre Bistro in Lake Linden. The restaurant hosted dinner; our Resident Opera Artists performed a concert of highlights from opera and American musical theatre.
Chippewa Club Gala
We opened our season on June 14 in Dickinson County at the Chippewa Club in Iron Mountain. This warm and intimate environment has hosted this event for the past 21 years, since the Festival began. After dinner, our Resident Opera Artists performed higlights from opera and American musical theatre.
New York and Paris in Revue!
We offered a revue with music that celebrated two of the world's great cities - New York and Paris. The music was drawn from composers such as Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Edith Piaf, and others. Jerry DePuit, with his imaginative and brilliant arrangements, returned to lead our Resident Opera Artists through this exciting program. Celebrating the big city, this program offered an interesting contrast to the small town environment of Rockland, which premiered later in the season.
Christina Harmon Organ Recital
In 2009 PMMF welcomed Christina Harmon to the Upper Peninsula and its remarkable organs. A year later, in the fall of 2010, Christina came back to the area to record a CD on the organs she fell in love with. We were excited to bring back this internationally sought-after musician to hear her stunning playing once more.
Esa Ruuttunen and Craig Randal Johnson in Recital
Esa Ruuttunen is one of Finland's most renowned singers and has graced many of the world's opera and concert stages. He has made numerous recordings and has been instrumental in the development of new works. We were very pleased that Esa was in residence with the Festival for almost one month while he prepared his role in Rockland. He teamed up with Craig Randal Johnson to present this recital, which was a great opportunity to get to know one of Finland's most versatile and expressive artists in a concert that featured music of Finland, as well as selections from the PMMF new world premiere of Rockland.
Craig Randal Johnson, conductor, pianist, and bassist, is from Minneapolis and is a frequent collaborator with Esa Ruuttunen. As a recitalist Craig has appeared throughout the world and is often seen in the Upper Peninsula. As a triple threat (conductor, pianist, and bassist) he is in constant demand, and we were proud to host him in the Upper Peninsula for a month this summer while he conducted Rockland and joined Esa Ruuttunen in these recitals.
Jonathan and Stephanie Leon Shames: Two Pianos, Four Hands
These frequent recitalists were last seen at the Festival in 2004, and we were looking forward to their return ever since. Their concertizing has taken them to music festivals throughout the country, and last year we were thrilled to welcome them back to the U.P.
Pine Mountain Music Festival String Octet
This concert featured eight members of our opera orchestra playing some of the great masterpieces of the string chamber music repertoire. The repertoire featured two of Shostakovich's early works, Tchaikovsky's well-loved Souvenir de Florence for string sextet, and Mendelssohn's great masterpiece, his Octet in E-flat Major.
Ameriikan Poijat Brass Septet
One of the leading brass septets in the world , Ameriikan Poijat ensemble members have been playing together for more than 20 years. They concertize throughout Finland, the U.S., and Canada on a regular basis and have developed a tremendous following over the years. Their repertoire includes classical, folk, and dances of all sorts. Their musicality and spirit have won them continued praise, and we were proud to have them join the Festival in celebration of " The Rockland Season."
Rockland
Over five years in the making, we were absolutely thrilled to be producing the New World Premiere of Jukka Linkola's opera, Rockland. This is the second full-length opera PMMF has commissioned in its history, and both have been based on real events that occurred in the Upper Peninsula. Rockland is based on events during a strike by Finnish copper miners in Rockland, Ontonagon County, in 1906.
This activity was supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts; Finlandia Foundation National, Keweenaw National Historical Park; Wisconsin Public Service Foundation; and Finn Spark, Inc.
2010
Keweenaw Kickoff Gala
Chippewa Club Gala
Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin in Revue
In the Beginning . . .
The Bergonzi String Quartet
Bergonzi Children's Concert
RCM Master Class with the Bergonzi String Quartet
4th of July Musical Celebration
A Night of Tango!
An Evening of Art Song
Resident Chamber Musicians Concert Series
Ralph Votapek Piano Recital
La Traviata
2009
Keweenaw Kickoff Gala
Chippewa Club Gala
Cole Porter in Revue
Christina Harmon Organ Recital
The Bergonzi String Quartet
Bergonzi Children's Concert
Resident Chamber Musicians Concert Series
RCM Master Class with the Bergonzi String Quartet
Stas & Misha
Jazz in the Concert Hall
Opera for Kids
The Secret Marriage
2008
Chippewa Club Gala
Sarah Mahler Hughes Organ Recital
The Bergonzi String Quartet
Bergonzi Children's Concert
Richard Rodgers in Revue!
Ana Vidovic Guitar Recital
4th of July Musical Celebration
Louis Nagel Piano Recital
La Tragédie de Carmen
2007
Opening Galas
One-Act Operas: Dr. Miracle and Trouble in Tahiti
Opera for Kids
David C. Jonies Organ Recital
Timothy Noble ROA Master Class
The Bergonzi String Quartet
Bergonzi Children's Concert
Cabaret Evening
The Diaries of Adam and Eve
Baroque Chamber Orchestra
Ana Vidovic Guitar Recital
4th of July Musical Celebration
Student Chamber Music Concert
PMMF Symphony Orchestra
Ralph and Albertine Votapek Piano Recital
Candide
New Chamber Music
2006
An Evening of Opera Scenes
Children's Opera Experience
Robert Miller Piano Recital
The Bergonzi String Quartet
Bergonzi Children's Concert
Cabaret Evening
Baroque Chamber Orchestra
July 4th Song Fest
Chippewa Club Gala
Voice Master Class with Christine Seitz
PMMF Symphony Orchestra
John Eggert Organ Recital
Student Chamber Music Concert
The Magic Flute
New Chamber Music
2005
Opening Night Fantasy!
La Cenerentola
The Bergonzi String Quartet
Bergonzi Children's Concert
Stage Hits: Opera to Broadway!
Cabaret Evening
Craig Cramer Organ Recital
Voice Master Class with Christine Seitz
Celebration of Art Song
Ralph Votapek Piano Recital
New Chamber Music
Student Chamber Music Concert
An Evening of Opera Scenes
PMMF Symphony Orchestra
Shirley Verrett Voice Master Class
Hansel and Gretel
2004
The Bergonzi String Quartet and White Water Family Band
Don Pasquale
Stage Hits: Opera to Broadway!
The Bergonzi String Quartet
Bergonzi Children's Concert
Chamber Classics
Voice Master Class with Christine Seitz
Len Langrick Organ Recital
Cabaret Evening
Art Song Recital
New Chamber Music
PMMF Symphony Orchestra
Student Chamber Music Concert
Two Pianos - Four Hands
La Bohème
