Free Music Festival performance was a stunning experience

To the editor,

Last Friday evening, my wife and I were privileged to attend a performance by gifted violinist, Adrian Anantawan, who was accompanied by the 2011 Music Festival Director and virtuoso pianist, Benjamin Loeb.

Not only was it a stunning musical experience, but it was free — a gift of the New Hampshire Music Festival. During the last several days, in addition to a number of Lakes Region civic group speaking engagements, Anantawan and Loeb have been touring area schools, introducing students to good music and interfacing with these students in a manner aimed at developing rapport between students and musical artists. The enthusiastic feedback has suggested a resounding success.

All of this is the prelude (pun intended) to the opening of the 2011 New Hampshire Music Festival season which begins officially on July 7th with the first classical concert at Silver Center for the Arts in Plymouth.

This promises to be a momentous season, with what is probably the largest array of musical choices in the 59 year history of the Music Festival. Beginning with six classical concerts offered on Thursday evenings in Plymouth at Silver Center for the Arts and Friday evenings in Gilford at the Gilford Auditorium, there is also a wonderful three Saturday evening pops series in Plymouth.

The Music Festival is composed of outstanding musicians from great symphony orchestras across the nation and abroad as well.

For Chamber music lovers, six such presentations will be offered on Tuesday evenings, beginning on July 5th. A brand new program – for those who like the idea of a Sunday afternoon concert with time for dinner afterward and home by dark – Maestro and Friends” will take place on Four Sunday afternoons and will feature special guests performing with Director Benjamin Loeb.

If you love living in the beautiful Lakes Region, the Music Festival summer series is truly the “frosting on the cake” for enhancing the best of the New Hampshire experience.

To purchase tickets or to receive more information about the Festival, call 279-3300 or visit the website at www.nhmf.org.

Twenty-year sponsor and subscriber,

Terry C. Thomason

Meredith