From Beethoven to Bernstein: 2005 Bellingham Festival of Music is Luxury Living in the ‘Authentic’ Northwest
World-class music, accommodations, spa services and outdoor recreation come together to make the perfect summer destination for the discriminating traveler.
Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) April 18, 2005
Unspoiled, relaxing, exhilarating--the Bellingham Mount Baker Region has it all for those looking for a lifestyle change or just an exceptional destination for summer. It’s all the beauty of the Hamptons without the traffic or crowds. It’s as wonderful as Woodstock, and it’s the relaxed side of celebrity living without the constraints of the paparazzi. In the Bellingham Mount Baker Region, luxury living includes outdoor activities such as golf on seven Championship courses. Golf Digest rated Bellingham the seventh best “golf city” in the nation out of 314 cities. Opportunities for mountain-biking, hiking, sailing and kayaking abound. Recently named one of the top “hippest, healthiest and most adventure packed” small cities in America by Men’s Journal, a variety of celebrities from the realms of film, television and literature make their homes in Bellingham (www. bellingham. org). The area is also home to the prestigious Bellingham Festival of Music, the internationally recognized musical celebration that includes classical, jazz, opera, and world music. The 2005 Festival with “music from the mountains to the sea,” runs August 6-21 and is just one example of luxury living in the ‘authentic’ Northwest.
Perfectly situated on Puget Sound and the I-5 Corridor, Bellingham is 90 miles from Seattle, just 50 miles from beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Whistler is only a plane ride away. Bellingham International Airport gives the discriminating traveler easy access to the entire region, making this unique locale perfect for that quick or extended luxury getaway. Reward yourself by taking in some of the most spectacular views of the San Juan Islands with a challenging hike up one of the many mountain recreation areas. Counter your nature to play hard with a relaxing luxury spa package from the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, which is “a respite for the body, mind and soul.” A waterfront hideaway on Puget Sound, but in walking distance to trendy, historic Fairhaven, the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, finds its inspiration in nature and combines it with Northwest sophistication and style. Pamper yourself with treatments guaranteed to work out all the knots—and only steps from posh and inviting accommodations fit for the celebrities and VIPs that have blazed the trail before you. Once you’re relaxed, enjoy evening bayside chamber and jazz concerts with the Bellingham Festival of Music or any of the 14 spectacular concerts by world-renowned artists at 7 different venues.
Now in its 13th season, the Bellingham Festival of Music, under the direction of famed maestro Michael Palmer, has built its reputation on attracting high-profile musicians, such as principal players from major American and European orchestras, in addition to stars like violinist Sarah Chang and piano virtuoso Garrick Ohlsson. Artists like former New York Philharmonic principal oboist, Joseph Robinson, who recently retired, return year after year to share their talents with the community and to relive the invigorating spirit that is found in the people and the beauty of the Bellingham Mount Baker Region. Mr. Robinson will be making his first appearance with the Festival since his departure from his 26-year tenure at the New York Philharmonic. He will spend his retirement in Bellingham, which consistently ranks in the top ten places in the United States to retire mainly due to its pristine geography, close proximity to Seattle and Vancouver, its university, and outstanding arts offerings.
The Festival commences on Saturday, August 6 with its Gala Opening that rivals any concert in any hall around the world. Opening night features the Bellingham Festival Orchestra, comprised of 40 symphonic “all-stars” from major American and European orchestras performing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Metropolitan Opera soprano, Heidi Grant Murphy and the Bellingham Festival Chorus will make the evening extra-special with their performance of the Poulenc Gloria and Ms. Murphy will also sing selected arias.
The following day, August 7, will see the Festival’s signature “Music in the Mountains” concert with the Bellingham Festival Chamber Players, featuring two performances and a salmon dinner at Mount Baker’s fabulous White Salmon Lodge. The Festival’s Chamber Music Series will continue with concerts by the Bellingham Festival Chamber Players at Bellingham’s First Congregational Church on August 10, as well as at the beautiful outdoor venue at Semiahmoo Resort Golf and Spa on August 16.
For those more attuned to jazz, the FestivalÂ’s Friday Night Jazz Series includes SeattleÂ’s always-popular gypsy jazz group Pearl Django at the Village Green in upscale but laid-back Fairhaven on August 12. The following Friday, the Portland-based Patrick Lamb Band, which currently opens for Grammy Award winner Diane Schuur, will warm up the green at Hotel Bellwether on the Bay overlooking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands with hot classic jazz.
On Wednesday, August 17, world music lovers can experience the Vancouver-based musical group Silk and Bamboo. An event not to be missed, their Bellingham debut, Ancient and Contemporary Music for Chinese Instruments, will feature a world premiere by Canadian composer Mark Armanini, commissioned especially for the Festival.
The Festival will also feature a concert version of Leonard BernsteinÂ’s opera-meets-musical-theatre Candide with a roster of young, up-and-coming singing talent, the 2005 Bellingham Festival Orchestra and Chorus at the Mount Baker Theatre on Saturday, August 13. If all of this wasnÂ’t enough, the Festival will also host a piano recital, pre-concert talks and its Family Concert, all leading up to the grand finale on Saturday, August 20 at the Mount Baker Theatre. The final concert will celebrate the Brahms Violin Concerto with violinist Elmar Oliveira.
All tickets can be purchased through the Mount Baker Theatre Box Office at 360.734.6080. Season tickets for the 2005 Bellingham Festival of Music will go on sale Tuesday, May 31. Individual tickets ranging from $20-$28 will be available starting Monday, June 6, and can be purchased over the phone or online at www. mountbakertheatre. com. For more information and a detailed festival schedule, visit www. bellinghamfestival. org or e-mail info@bellinghamfestival. org.
Media requests for images or interviews should be directed to:
Paul Niemi
Office: 212.946.5067
Cell: 360.739.9689
E-mail: pdnpublicrelations@hotmail. com
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