photo: Dario Acosta
song Z
Sasha Cooke performs January 22, 23 & 24.
Tucson Desert Songfest Continues to Wow by Herb Stratford The power of voice in music is indisputable. The popularity of song is undeniable, from classical circles to pop music and even popular culture, thanks to such shows as “The Voice.” But living in Southern Arizona, we don’t often experience some of the world’s best classical vocal talents live, and in person. This dilemma was addressed in 2010 with the founding of Tucson Desert Song Festival—which will be presenting their fourth “season” with a fantastic lineup of performers, from January 21- February 7 at a variety of locations. The festival, the brainchild of Tucsonan Jack Forsythe, has put together a robust group of eight conspirators including; the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Tucson Chamber Artists, UApresents, Arizona Opera, the Tucson Guitar Society, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music and the University of Arizona School of Music who will all host and collaborate on this year’s events. The addition of former Tucson Symphony maestro George Hanson as the festival’s director, is another stroke of brilliance that will continue to open doors to talent and bring them to Tucson each January. This year’s program features some remarkable names such as acclaimed mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton—the Richard Tucker award winner and Cardiff Singer of the World award winner—performing along with the Metropolitan Opera’s soprano Amber Wagner. The two will present a recital in the intimate confines of the University of Arizona’s Crowder Hall with pianist Alan Darling on January 23. Another unique collaboration made possible this year thanks to the festival is the event entitled Rhythms of the Americas which pairs Ballet Tucson and the Tucson Guitar Society for an evening of Latin-inspired dance, music and song with guest artists Adam del Monte on guitar along with baritone singer Bernardo Bermudez. The performance, on February 5 will take place in the intimate 299-seat Stevie Eller Dance Theatre and will feature, flamenco, tango and bossa nova, but also the premiere of Daniel Precup’s work Mosaico which features guitar, voice and dance. The collaboration between the Desert Song Fest and the Tucson Symphony takes the shape of a performance entitled Mahler and Martial Arts. This concert features the return of conductor George Hanson to the orchestra to explore
Chinese legends and poetry that inspired Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde”. With soloists like mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and tenor Richard Cox, the performance looks like a knockout on January 22 at the TCC. Arizona Opera’s presentation of the classic tale Carmen about a Gypsy seductress will feature mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack on January 30. Hanson is quick to point out that there are several “winners,’ with the evergrowing festival’s remarkable lineup, as 90% of all of the funds that are raised go directly to the co-presenting arts organizations in support their visiting artists. These groups benefit from increased national and international awareness as well as experience from performing with guest artists who would otherwise not be in our market. Audiences also benefit—both locals and visiting tourists by seeing so many great performers in such a compacted festival timeframe. The stated mission of the festival is “to create an internationally recognized, destination festival, and for that festival to help Tucson become more of a cultural destination for visitors.” “That’s possible because the Tucson Desert Song Festival is three things; a unique festival model, with the ability to attract recognizable talent, and that it takes place in the right place at the right time” said Hanson. This collaboration between groups is unique in the industry according to Hanson, and while it continues to grow it’s reputation is helping it draw larger and larger talent and recognition worldwide. Plans are currently underway for exciting and unheard of events in 2017 and 2018, but this year’s lineup has already received much acclaim due to the talent secured such as Jamie Barton from the Met. This year’s Tucson Desert Song Festival is perhaps the finest one to date, and as such it’s crucial that Tucson audiences experience the difference that the festival offers in person. In order for our community to continue to grow our reputation as a cultural destination, we need to support and experience the amazing voices that are coming to Tucson. n The Tucson Desert Song Festival takes place January 10 – February 7 at a variety of locations. Visit TucsonDesertSongFestival.Org for more details. January 2016 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 41