The Music Academy of the West, now in its 77th season, will present the 2024 Summer Music Festival, themed The Magic of Music, June 12-Aug. 3, featuring nearly 130 live events.
The festival showcases talented young musicians and outstanding teaching and guest artists in an array of one-of-a-kind performances, chamber concerts, public masterclasses, and competitions under the new leadership of Shauna Quill, president/CEO.
This season’s Academy Festival Orchestra concerts are led by Minnesota Orchestra Conductor Laureate Osmo Vänskä, music director of the San Bernardino Symphony and film score conductor Anthony Parnther, New Jersey Symphony Music Director Xian Zhang (making her Music Academy debut), former music director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra David Robertson, and Finnish National Opera and Ballet Chief Conductor Hannu Lintu, who for the second consecutive summer leads fellows in the final performance of the Festival.
The Academy’s Principal Opera Conductor, Daniela Candillari, takes the podium for a fully staged production of Bizet’s Carmen, directed by Ken Cazan, and Mary Birnbaum directs Ravel’s one-act opera L’enfant et les sortilèges.
Special events include a lecture and performance of Charles Ives’ “Concord” Piano Sonata with Jeremy Denk in honor of the composer’s 150th birthday anniversary; a duo recital by Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk at Santa Barbara’s historic Granada Theatre; an homage to the music of Gabriel Fauré performed by Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk, Steven Isserlis, Richard O’Neill, and a Music Academy violin fellow; a rare performance by Conor Hanick, Timo Andres, and the Academy’s solo piano fellows of Philip Glass’ Complete Piano Études; solo recitals by Mosher guest artists Steven Isserlis and Lawrence Brownlee; and a program of uplifting songs and spirituals performed by the Lehrer Vocal Institute fellows, coached by Lawrence Brownlee, and inspired by his acclaimed album Rising.
The season opens June 1 with a Summer Gala to benefit the academy’s Sing! Children’s Chorus and the Music Academy fellows’ full scholarship program. Themed Magic of the Music Academy: A New Era, the gala features a performance by cellist, curator, composer, and Music Academy alumnus Joshua Roman.
“We look forward to welcoming music lovers in the Santa Barbara community and beyond to immerse themselves in the Music Academy’s 77th Summer Music Festival,” said Quill “With 130 captivating performances, the festival stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing and educating our exceptional fellows.
“Through collaboration with 60 esteemed teaching artists, guest musicians, and directors we aspire to create a truly unforgettable summer of music.”
Subscriptions for the 2024 Summer Music Festival are on sale at musicacademy.org. Individual tickets are available starting May 1. Tickets and additional information are available via email ticketoffice@musicacademy.org or by calling the Ticket Office at 805-969-8787.
Community Access tickets at $10 are available starting at 10 a.m. June 7, subject to availability. Tickets are available in person at the Music Academy Carsey Ticket Office and online.