Some of Tucson's leading arts organizations are joining creative forces to put the city on the classical-music map.
Next February, the University of Arizona, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, UApresents and Tucson Chamber Artists professional choir will participate in the inaugural 10-day Tucson Desert Song Festival.
"The goal of the festival is to shine a bright light on our existing, very fine artistic organizations in Tucson, and a broader light on Tucson as a classical-music destination," festival Vice President Cecile Follansbee said during a news conference early this month.
"Song and Beyond" Feb. 8-17, 2013, will feature renowned vocalists and guest conductors performing with Tucson musicians in a series of concerts and recitals. The festival will tap into the arts groups' existing audiences, which festival founder and driving force Jack Forsythe said is half the battle. The festival will be part of the groups' regular seasons and will include master classes and recitals through the University of Arizona.
"When you start a new program like this, the hard part is building up an audience," said Forsythe, a five-year resident of Tucson and co-founder of the successful St. Paul, Minn., Summer Song Festival. "We're already starting with a built-in audience. The idea is to bring in the stars and let these organizations bask in their light."
Nearly two years ago, Forsythe formed the non-profit Tucson Desert Song Festival and recruited a board of directors that has collectively kicked in enough money to support three festivals. The board has a $100,000 budget for the maiden festival. The money will be used to supplement arts organizations' talent-buying funds so they can bring in top-tier guest singers with résumés that include winning prestigious vocal contests or performing regularly with companies like Lyric Opera of Chicago and the New York Metropolitan Opera.
The inaugural festival kicks off with Berlin State Opera conductor Ulrich Windfuhr leading the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in a Wagner program with guest soprano Amber Wagner (Lyric Opera of Chicago). Other highlights include:
• Chamber Music Plus teams up with Ballet Tucson for a new work about Astor Piazzolla by composer-playwright Harry Clark.
• Grammy-nominated conductor Philip Brunelle of VocalEssence will lead the Tucson Chamber Artists and a quartet of guest artists - soprano Maria Jette is the only one named so far - in Rossini's "Petite Messe Solennelle."
• UApresents and the UA School of Music hold hands on a recital with baritone Nathan Gunn.
• Wagner returns to the TSO at the festival's end with mezzo Jill Grove, tenor James Valenti and bass Morris Robinson to perform Verdi's Requiem.
Learn more
Visit www.tucsondesertsongfestival.org for updates and ticket information.
Contact Cathalena E. Burch at cburch @azstarnet.com or 573-4642.
