Northern Lights Music Festival announces its 22nd season, bringing professional classical music and opera to a host of venues throughout the Minnesota Iron Range from July 1 through July 20, 2024.
Headlining the extensive programming will be a fully staged production of Leonard Bernstein’s operetta, Candide, directed by A Scott Parry, and conducted by NLMF Music Director, Gavriel Heine. This contemporary interpretation of the 1956 Broadway musical is by turns absurd, cynical, ironic, always uproariously funny, and in the end hopeful and uplifting. Candide will be staged at Mesabi East in Aurora on Friday, July 12 at 7:00 PM and at Chisholm High School Auditorium July 14 at 3:00 PM.
The 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue will be celebrated by a performance at the festival’s annual Festive Fourth! Concert, with Aurora native and festival artistic director Veda Zuponcic as the piano soloist. This concert with the NLMF Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Heine will also feature Opera Hits performed by cast members of Candide.
Winners of the Northern Lights Concerto Competition will perform with the NLMF Orchestra at historic Hibbing High School Auditorium on July 18 at 7:00 p.m. This event is always a season highlight, showcasing the enormous talent of the NLMF Young Artists Program.
More than 15 chamber music concerts will be presented during the festival in venues throughout the Range including the newly completed Vermilion Cultural Center in Tower and the historic B’nai Abraham Cultural Center in Virginia. Internationally acclaimed artists performing include violinist Alexander Markov, cellist Yosif Feigelson and acclaimed Russia pianist Mikhail Voskresensky.
Members of Northern Lights’ highly successful Opera Apprentice Program will present two programs of outstanding vocal music: an Evening of Opera Arias and a Cabaret Night at the Androy Hotel in Hibbing.
Our popular “Sharing the Range” lecture series highlights the contributions and history of the people who have lived and worked in this fascinating region. This year’s featured speaker is Aaron Brown, writer, radio producer, college instructor and author of the popular Range website, Minnesota Brown.
Check the NLMF website, www.northernlightsmusic.org for updated information about NLMF events.
Tickets will be available online, and in person at Valentini’s Restaurant in Chisholm, Schmitt’s Music in Virginia, and Bradach Lumber in Aurora.