July 27, 2010 - 8:00PM - Symphony of the Americas Mont Blanc Chamber Orchestra

The Mont Blanc Chamber Orchestra was created in October 1988. Composed of professional musicians who come from the Arve valley, Faucigny and Geneva area, the orchestra’s aim is to promote and make classical music more widely known. Since its creation the Mont Blanc Orchestra has interpreted a vast repertoire of music ranging from the Baroque era to the 20th century. Press and media are unanimous regarding the quality of the orchestra and its importance in the Haute Savoie area.

St. Paul’s Church 8:00PM
Admission $20 Under 19 admitted free
For more information: 305 296-4761

January 17, 2010 - 4:00 PM | IGOR BEGELMAN, clarinet, with LARISA GELMAN, bassoon

Clarinetist Igor Begelman’s virtuosity and imaginative command of his instrument have been widely praised - "a remarkable display of music making" noted The Philadelphia Inquirer - and have brought him an impressive list of awards, engagements and honors. Native of Kiev, Ukraine, Mr. Begelman came to the U. S. in 1989, earning his Masters degree at Juilliard in New York. Ms. Gelman has served as principal bassoonist of the Carolina Chamber Symphony and the Key West Symphony, and has also appeared with the New World Symphony, among other orchestras. Location: St. Paul’s Church www.igorbegelman.com

January 24, 2010 - 4:00 PM | CLANCY NEWMAN, cello, with NOREEN CASSIDY-POLERA, piano

Clancy Newman has been the distinguished recipient of many musical honors and awards, including prize-winning performances in the National Symphony’s Young Soloists Competition and the Juilliard Cello Competition. Playing as soloist in most of the country’s major concert halls, he is also an active member of the Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Weiss-Kaplan-Newman Trio. Ms Cassidy-Polera, winner of the Accompanist prize at the Tchaikovsky International Competition, has established a career as collaborative pianist that has taken her throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Korea, appearing with Yo-Yo Ma and Leonard Rose among other famed soloists. Location: St. Paul’s Church gallery.ncf.edu/main.php/v/publicaffairs/.../Cassidy-Polera/

February 14, 2010 - 4:00 PM | MIAMI STRING QUARTET, with JODIE DE SALVO, piano

This celebrated ensemble, as The New York Times commented, has "everything one wants in a quartet: a rich, precisely balanced sound, a broad coloristic palette, real unity of interpretive purpose and seemingly unflagging energy." A longtime favorite of Impromptu Concerts audiences, the brilliant group returns by popular demand.

Guest pianist Ms De Salvo triumphed at the Artistic International Competition in 1988 and at her ensuing Carnegie Hall debut. She has performed internationally with the Chicago Sinfonietta, and has played at Lincoln Center and Chicago's Orchestra Hall.

Location: St. Paul’s Church

www.miamistringquartet.com

February 28, 2010 - 4:00 PM | JOSE FRANCH-BALLESTER, clarinet, with ANNA POLONSKY, piano

The Rising Star Concert Native of Valencia, Spain, Jose Franch-Ballester at the age of 29, has been hailed as one of the most promising clarinetists of his generation, in 2008 receiving the highly coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant. Impromptu Concerts audiences will remember his skillful performance here last season with the Jupiter String Quartet. "He is a natural onstage, playing with technical wizardry and tireless enthusiasm." remarked The New York Times. Ms Polonsky made her solo piano debut in Moscow at the age of seven. Coming to the U.S. in 1990, she is now on the piano faculty of Vassar College, and is widely in demand as both soloist and chamber musician. . Location: St. Paul’s Church www.josefranchballester.com/ www.annapolonsky.com/

March 7, 2010 - 4:00 PM | JACKSONVILLE LYRIC OPERA in Rossini’s “Cinderella”

Returning to Key West after their enthusiastically received 2007 performance for Impromptu Concerts, the Jacksonville Lyric Opera presents Rossini’s comic opera “Cinderella” - an all-English version of the composer’s popular “La Cenerentola.” Created when he was just 25 years old, “La Cenerentola” is considered to have some of Rossini’s finest writing for solo voice and ensembles. A colorful, ingeniously entertaining operatic production, it takes the stage at the Tennessee Williams Theatre.

Location: Tennessee Williams Theatre

March 21, 2010 - 4:00 PM | FREDERICK MOYER, piano

As a not-to-be-missed finale to our season, we bring back, with special pride, concert pianist Frederick Moyer. His long, honors-laden career has taken him to some of the most illustrious concert halls in more than forty countries, ranging from the Sydney Opera House and Windsor Castle to Carnegie Recital Hall, Tanglewood and the Kennedy Center. He has also appeared as soloist with the Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston and London Symphony Orchestras, among a host of others. Mr. Moyer’s enthusiasm, unfailing artistry and adventurous programming - along with delightful commentary from the stage - have made him an ever-welcome favorite of our audiences.

Location: St. Paul’s Church

www.frederickmoyer.com