Many of the world’s most celebrated classical performers have graced the stages at the Aspen Music Festival, but long missing from its roster has been Deborah Voigt.
Until now.
The internationally renowned dramatic soprano will make her debut at the summer series as the headliner for its 60th anniversary celebration on Aug. 6 with music director David Zinman and the Aspen Chamber Symphony.
“I heard her sing Isolde this year in Chicago, and it was just stunning. She is at her absolute peak right now,” said Alan Fletcher, the festival’s president and chief executive.
According to Fletcher, Voigt offered to perform anything from her gigantic repertoire, and it was eventually agreed that she would sing arias from Beethoven’s “Fidelio” and Wagner’s “Tannhauser,” as well as a group of art songs by Richard Strauss.
That event (tickets are $85 and $150) is likely to be one of the high points of the festival, which runs June 25 through Aug. 23 and encompasses more than 400 concerts, discussions and other public events.
Here’s a look at 10 other widely recognized artists who will make appearances at Colorado’s classical festivals this summer:
Pricey
Dawn Upshaw, soprano: July 24, Aspen Chamber Symphony, $69; July 29, recital, $55, Aspen Music Festival, 970-925-9042 or aspenmusic . Upshaw, one of the most adventurous singers around, has become something of a muse for celebrated composer Osvaldo Golijov. On the 29th, she will perform two of his major works, including “Ayre,” a 2004 work that is dedicated to her.
Simone Dinnerstein, pianist: July 26, New York Philharmonic, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, $23-$85, 877-812-5700 or vailmusicfest .; Aug. 1, recital, Aspen Music Festival, $46, 970-925-9042 or aspenmusic . Dinnerstein catapulted to fame in 2007 with her recording of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations,” a piece she brought to Aspen last year. Her return to the state this summer includes her third in a debut set of appearances with the Philharmonic.
Vadim Guzman, violinist: July 26, Festival Orchestra, Music in the Mountains, Durango, $35-$45, 970-385-6820 or . To get a sense of Guzman’s high-riding career, one need only note that he is coming to Colorado directly from the Hague, Netherlands, where he is doing a recording of a pair of concertos for the respected BIS label. He will be featured in Bernstein’s Serenade from 1954.
Elmar Oliveira, violinist: June 27, Festival Orchestra, Strings Music Festival, $50, 970-879-5056 or stringsmusic . The veteran soloist jumped back in the spotlight as a 2009 Grammy Award nominee for a recording of lesser-known concertos by Ernest Bloch and Benjamin Lees. In Colorado, he will stick to more familiar fare — Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.
Yuja Wang, pianist:July 2, recital, Aspen Music Festival, $46, 970-925-9042 or aspen .; July 12, Philadelphia Orchestra, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, $23-$85. This 22-year-old pianist is among the latest up- and-coming artists to generate a buzz in the classical world. Deutsche Grammophon, one of the top international labels, just released her debut recording in April.
Jaap van Zweeden, conductor:July 1, 5 and 8, Dallas Symphony, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, $23-$60. The Dutch maestro just completed his first season as music director in Dallas and drew strong reviews. “You can’t help but notice how different the orchestra sounds,” writes Dallas Morning News critic Scott Cantrell. “There’s a new focus and intensity, a new attention to detail.”
Moderate
Jeremy Denk, pianist:June 26, Aspen Chamber Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, $69, 970-925-9042 or aspenmusic .; June 27, recital, Salida Aspen Concerts, $15, 719-539-6467 or salidaaspen . The pianist might not have the name recognition of some his peers, but his insightful performances have won him the admiration of serious keyboard fans since he received an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1998.
JoAnn Falletta, conductor: July 8, National Repertory Orchestra, Breckenridge, $22-$32, 970-547-3100 or nationalrep . Falletta’s first job out of graduate school was heading the Denver Chamber Orchestra from 1983 through 1992. Now music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and Virginia Symphony, she returns to Colorado to guest conduct this nationally known training orchestra.
Wu Man, pipa player:July 9 and 10, Festival Orchestra, Colorado Music Festival, Boulder, $12-$47, 303-440-7666 or . Since moving to the United States in 1996, Wu Man has played a key role in raising the profile of the pipa, a lutelike instrument that dates back more than 2,000 years. She regularly performs with orchestras worldwide and is a principal member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project.
Benjamin Wallfisch, conductor, Festival Orchestra, July 12, 15 and 19, Crested Butte Music Festival, $10-$40, 970-346-0619 or crestedbutte . The 29- year-old Briton has served as conductor and/or orchestrator for 20 film soundtracks, including “The Soloist,” which was released earlier this year. In addition, the former associate conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra and regularly guest conducts across Europe.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
