Violinist Nicolas Orbovich, artistic director for the Michigan City Chamber Music Festival, describes the organization’s annual summer August concert festival as “a cultural collaboration.”
“On one stage, you might have audiences in awe of a young, Indian violinist,” Orbovich said.
“And then, just one stage away or maybe showcased at the next concert date, it’s this incredible gospel choir in the spotlight capturing the attention of audiences of all ages.”
Orbovich, who founded the Michigan City Chamber Music Festival 24 years ago, said he is “extra excited” about the eight free community concerts Aug. 10-18 because of the range of assembled talent all sharing headline billing.
“What we do with this annual summer festival of free concerts is something that doesn’t exist anymore for most communities, and that’s because of the math and finances involved,” Orbovich said.
“We are grateful for our grants and underwriting. But still, it’s our dedicated private donors who are the gracious benefactors providing 70 percent of the cost for these concerts.”
The theme for the 2024 festival is “Music of Community and Collaboration,” with the performances located throughout Michigan City.
“This festival has always been about community and showcasing the beautiful natural surroundings like our lakefront, with a combined desire to share great music presented by award winning, Grammy nominated, and world renowned musicians, all at no cost to audiences,” Orbovich said.
“We have a wide selection of great pieces, including beloved, monumental works by Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, Gershwin, and other masters. We include some works that are relatively unknown and emphasize the talents of female, African American, European, Muslim and Jewish composers.”
Concerts are at:
7 p.m. Aug. 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 121 W. 9th St., Michigan City — Opening Night featuring W.A. Mozart presented as a quintet for French Horn and strings starring Valerie Capers and her “Song of the Seasons” for soprano, cello and piano and Alexander Borodin and his string quartet in D Major.
7 p.m. Aug. 12 at First Presbyterian Church, 121 W. 9th St., Michigan City — “Sponsored Spontaneity!” starring Franz Berwald and his Duo Concertante for two violins with “Ascending Bird” for string quartet, Richard Strauss as Brentano lieder for soprano and piano selections by Ludwig van Beethoven highlighting the Archduke Trio for piano and strings.
6 p.m. Aug. 13 at Paladin’s Head Start, 811 Royal Road, Michigan City — “Fairy Tales from Around the World” Family Concert Series of “fantastic stories from around the world” led by Education Director Sunny Gardner-Orbovich and accompanied by the festival string quartet.
7 p.m. Aug. 14 at First Presbyterian Church, 121 W. 9th St., Michigan City — “Pianomania” starring Robert Auler and Jasmin Arakawa bringing their ebony and ivory acumen to dazzle audiences with a program featuring music by Beethoven, Schumann and a celebration of the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with Mendelssohn’s Sonata in D Major for cello and piano.
6 p.m. Aug. 15 at Paladin’s Head Start, 811 Royal Road, Michigan City — “HAKENPALOOZA 3” Family Concert unfolds for a fun demonstration of electronic stringed instruments from Education Director Sunny Gardner Orbovich and Rudolf Haken, the Director of the Electronic Strings Department at University of Illinois.
7 p.m. Aug. 16 at First Presbyterian Church, 121 W. 9th St., Michigan City — “The Struggle is Real” featuring Clarence Cameron White with “Bandana Sketches” and William Grant Still presenting “Dances of Panama” for string quartet and John Tavener and Anna Akhmatova songs for cello and soprano with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor presenting “Nonet” for piano, strings and wind instruments.
2 p.m. Aug. 17 at Lubeznik Center for the Arts 101 W. 2nd St. — “Hildegard to Avant-Garde!” Family Concert with violinist Dhivya Chari for an incredible performance for any age featuring music of female composers and the University of Illinois Electric Strings Ensemble and hosted by Sunny Gardner Orbovich.
3 p.m. Aug. 18 at First Presbyterian Church, 121 W. 9th St., Michigan City — “Coming Together” highlighting unique ensemble combinations, plus the world premiere of Rudolf Haken’s “Fantasia on Ode to Joy,” collaborating with violinist Dhivya Chari and the University of Illinois Electronic String Ensemble and the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Choir with Sergei Prokofiev’s sonata for violin and piano.
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for The Post-Tribune.
Michigan City Chamber Music 2024 Festival
When: Aug. 10-18
Where: Concert locations around Michigan City
Cost: Free
Information: 219-873-4560; mccmf.org