23RD GALA SEASON RECOGNIZES RETIRING FESTIVAL FOUNDER AND DEAN OF THE FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Coral Gables, FL – Variety. Virtuosity. Venue. Value. Festival Miami has it all. Recognized for delivering a wide array of wonderful music to audiences since 1984, Festival Miami is a tuneful treat for South Florida music lovers.

In its 23rd Gala Season, Festival Miami 2006 reaches new heights with 27 seven concerts in a five-week whirlwind showcasing music from around the world – from the treasured classics of old world masters to the vibrant creations of new world innovators, from New York to Buenos Aires, from the heart of Russia to the center of the Silk Road. Presented by the Frost School of Music from September 30 – November 4, 2006, Festival Miami 2006 features inspired performances by award-winning University of Miami music students and faculty and internationally renowned guest artists. Audiences are also treated to new musical experiences with several Florida and world premieres in the lineup.

This year Festival Miami recognizes retiring Frost School of Music Dean and Festival founder William Hipp with a specially commissioned Festival Miami tribute cover created by renowned Miami artist Romero Britto. Britto’s bold celebratory artwork portrays the real “Mr. Festival Miami.” Since 1983, Dean Hipp has provided visionary leadership and dedication to the University of Miami and the greater South Florida community. He will step down as Dean in May 2007.

The Frost Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Sleeper, has the distinction of both opening and closing Festival Miami 2006. On September 30th the Symphony presents its long-awaited collaboration with the Marcus Roberts Jazz Trio in a unique interpretation of George Gershwin’s Concerto in F. This evening also includes the Florida premieres of Roberto Sierra’s acclaimed Symphonies no. 1 and 3. On November 4th, the Symphony is joined by two-time Grammy winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman in a performance of Gerald Finzi’s romantic Concerto for Clarinet and Edward Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations.

A sampling of Festival Miami’s additional classical music highlights includes two programs by Roberto Diaz, principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, who will be joined by cellist Andres Diaz, Valentina Lisista on piano, and violinist James Ehnes. The masterful Cavani String Quartet performs works by Mozart, and Ravel. Acclaimed Polish pianist Marek Drewnowski presents an evening Chopin. Flawless violinist Chee-Yun is accompanied by Wendy Chen, pianist. The Frost School of Music’s very own Bergonzi Quartet is joined by the Miami Saxophone Quartet for the world premiere of Gary Lindsay’s Jazz Suite for Double Quartet. The Frost Chamber Players perform Stravinksy’s L’Histoire du Soldat and will join with the Bergonzi Quartet and the Miami Woodwind Quintet for Beethoven’s Septet for Strings and Woodwinds.

Jazz and popular music is served hot, cool or fusion style with Latin rhythms and world beats. Master trombonist and composer Slide Hampton performs together with the Frost School’s award-winning Concert Jazz Band, directed by Dante Luciani, in a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie. Three-time Grammy Award winner and Frost School of Music alumnus Bruce Hornsby returns home to present his phenomenal piano playing in a mix of jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass, rock and more. Miami’s very own one-woman sensation, Albita, takes to the stage for an evening of popular Cuban music. Broadway’s “Golden Couple,” Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, take on the serious business of singing about love in all its moods in an afternoon of cabaret. Singer, composer, guitarist and Frost School of Music alumnus Raul Midón takes to the stage with the School’s award-winning Jazz Vocal I Ensemble directed by Larry Lapin. Internationally acclaimed recording artist Luciana Souza is joined by guitarist Romero Lumbambo for an evening of Brazilian rhythms and American jazz.

Festival Miami 2006 presents the Florida premiere of The Holocaust Cantata: Songs from the Camps, as well as a children’s concert in collaboration with Sunday Afternoons of Music for Children, a tango performance, and much more. For a complete listing of all 27 concerts, visit www.festivalmiami.com or call 305.284.4940.

Community outreach is an important facet of Festival Miami’s educational and cultural mission and several concerts offer free admission to the public. The Frost School of Music also extends an invitation to the community to attend all of the wonderful master classes Festival guest artists conduct while on campus. These classes are free and open to the public, and a complete list is available on the Festival Miami website and will be sent in a separate release at a later date.

All performances are held at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall located at the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music, 1314 Miller Drive, on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus (unless otherwise noted in the attached schedule). The Frost School of Music website is www.music.miami.edu.

Ticket prices range from $8 - $55 per person, including senior and students rates. Opening and closing nights also offer a special ticket for $55 per person, which includes a VIP reception. The Festival Miami Advance Ticket Sales Office phone number is (305) 284-4940 and is located at the McKnight Building, 5807 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Hours are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information on Festival Miami 2006 and a downloadable ticket order form visit www.festivalmiami.com or email festivalmiami.music@miami.edu.

Media contact: Annette Herrera
305.284.1607
festivalmiami.media@miami.edu
June 22, 2006