SALASTINA’S VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR SERIES CONTINUES
Upcoming Programs:
August 11: Fabio Bidini, piano
August 18: Vid Guerrerio, Librettist
August 25: Kinan Azmeh, clarinet
September 1: Caroline Shaw, composer
Since April 7, the terrific chamber ensemble Salastina began a Tuesday evening virtual Happy Hour series, which began on April 7, welcoming artists from across the globe and musical spectrum. I loved mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile (whose newest CD with Yo-Yo Ma, Not Our First Goat Rodeo, is a knockout!). They’ve also hosted composer Derrick Spiva Jr. It’s live musical performance, spirited conversation, and interaction with musicians and fellow music lovers.
Along with some world-class cocktail recipes, Happy Hour has given guests, musicians and all of us a much needed reprieve from life under lockdown. Now on the docket for upcoming events, Salastina welcomes Fabio Bidini, piano, Vid Guerrerio, librettist, Kinan Azmeh, clarinet, and Caroline Shaw, composer. Salastina’s Happy Hour events are free, and guests can RSVP at Salastina Concerts.
Tuesday, August 11: Fabio Bidini
Fabio Bidini is recognized as one of the most important pianists and pedagogues in the world today. After winning top prizes in the Busoni and Van Cliburn international piano competitions, Mr. Bidini has enjoyed sensational success as a soloist worldwide. Mr. Bidini has the distinct honor of having been Salastina Resident Pianist HyeJin Kim’s beloved teacher and mentor for many years. Bidini joins Salastina for live performance and intimate conversation.
Tuesday, August 18: Vid Guerrerio
Guerrerio’s ¡Figaro! (90210) tackled race and immigration issues in modern-day Beverly Hills. The world premiere by the LA Opera in 2015 was a hoot! Hopefully, Guerrerio will talk about OC fan tutte, his reminaged Così fan tutte, which Salastrina postponed due to…well, you know. OC fan tutte replaces its tired, 18th-century misogyny with current issues of gender equality and marriage rights (while leaving the music intact). Mozart’s two young couples are now fundamentalist Christians. They’re hell-bent on proving their moral superiority to social justice warriors, who have a righteous agenda of their own. A not-so-friendly bet challenges the “good Christian values” of the young couples. Righteous agenda? Does this take place in Newport Beach? Clearly there won’t be a mask in site! Guerrerio is currently working on Don Jovy (you guessed it, aka Don Giovanni), about an aging rocker living on the Sunset Strip. Guests will enjoy video performances and before-and-afters of Guerrerio’s delightful Mozartian makeovers, plus fascinating and provocative conversation about what “timelessness” really means.
August 25: Kinan Azmeh
Originally from Damascus, Syria, Azmeh brings his music to all corners of the world as a clarinet soloist, composer and improviser. His compositions include several works for solo, chamber, and orchestral music, as well as music for film, live illustration, and electronics. He has performed as a soloist with and been commissioned by the New York Philharmonic. Azmeh serves as artistic director of the Damascus Festival Chamber Players, a pan-Arab ensemble dedicated to contemporary music from the Arab world. He is also a member of Silk Road Ensemble, whose 2017 Grammy Award-winning album Sing Me Home features Azmeh as a clarinetist and composer.
September 1: Caroline Shaw
Caroline Shaw is a New York-based musician – vocalist, violinist, composer, and producer – who performs in solo and collaborative projects. She was the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013 for Partita for 8 Voices, written for the Grammy-winning Roomful of Teeth, of which she is a member. Check out her latest CD with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale and mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, called simply PBO & Caroline Shaw. You’ll hear Shaw’s first commission for the organization, a song called “Red, Red Rose.”
for more info, visit Salastina
